Lévy Gorvy Dayan Unveiled Rare Pierre Soulages Works

The New York gallery exhibition features more than twenty works on paper, many of which have never been displayed before.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Fine Art

Gouache-painted illustration of abstract dark ink brushwork on paper, mounted against a plain white gallery wall, reflecting a sophisticated arts exhibition. — Lévy Gorvy Dayan gallery has unveiled a new exhibition featuring over twenty previously unseen works on paper by artist Pierre Soulages. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Lévy Gorvy Dayan gallery has opened a new exhibition dedicated to the works on paper by artist Pierre Soulages. The collection features more than twenty pieces, the majority of which have never been shown to the public previously.

Why it matters

The exhibition highlights Soulages's preference for the fluidity of paper over the constraints of canvas, offering an intimate look at his creative process. It serves as a significant retrospective of his technical innovations utilizing walnut stain, gouache, and ink.

The exhibition showcases more than twenty works, most debuting publicly for the first time. This follows a substantial 2014 artist donation of over one hundred works to the Musée Soulages.

The players

Pierre Soulages

Pierre Soulages was a renowned French painter and sculptor known for his mastery of texture and light, specifically his extensive use of black.

Lévy Gorvy Dayan

Lévy Gorvy Dayan is a prominent art gallery based in New York that specializes in high-end contemporary and modern works.

Colette Soulages

Colette Soulages is the wife of the late artist who collaborated closely with the gallery to facilitate this exhibition of his works on paper.

Dominique Lévy

Dominique Lévy is a leading art dealer and gallerist who has presented six solo exhibitions of the artist's work over her career.

Musée Soulages

Located in Rodez, France, this museum is dedicated to the preservation and study of the extensive artistic output of Pierre Soulages.

The details

Soulages developed his unique style on paper starting in the mid-1940s, often crafting his own tools like blades, scrapers, and sponges to manipulate walnut stain, ink, and gouache. He favored this medium for its rapid rhythm, finding oil paints on canvas too restrictive for his artistic vision.

Soulages's innovations on paper catalyzed in 1947.
The artist donated over one hundred works to Musée Soulages in 2014.
A career retrospective was held at the Musée du Louvre in 2019.
The artist Pierre Soulages died in 2022.
A large-scale exhibition of his work took place at the Musée du Luxembourg from 2025 to 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This exhibition follows a pattern set by the Musée Soulages, which holds over one hundred of his works in its permanent collection. It underscores a shift toward documenting the artist's specific technical legacy through focused, academic-style gallery showcases.

The public can view these rare works in person at the New York gallery for a limited time. Collectors and enthusiasts should monitor upcoming announcements regarding the forthcoming catalogue raisonné for works on paper.

The takeaway

Pierre Soulages's dedication to the rapid, fluid nature of paper highlights the importance of medium in the artistic process. Collectors should note that his works on paper are increasingly gaining recognition alongside his more famous canvas pieces.