Victor
Pasmore

Victor Pasmore was a proponent of pure abstraction, which he viewed as a way of capturing the essential qualities of art. His work, Linear Motif In Black And White (1960-1961), is a prime example of this approach and explores three-dimensionality by incorporating a range of materials, including acrylic and gravure on Formica, similar to woodblock printing. Through layering these composite materials, Pasmore creates a work that is as much an object as a picture, inviting the viewer to consider the physicality of the materials used in its creation. Linear Motif In Black And White is a seminal representation of Pasmore's oeuvre, showcasing his innovative approach to form, material, and perception.

This work is his auction record and sold for £329,000 (fees included) at Christie’s in June 2017.

The Studio of Ingres (1945-1946) is a significant work that reflects Victor Pasmore's artistic development from a representational artist to an abstract painter. The painting is titled after the celebrated French neo-classical painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and is an interpretation of his studio, featuring elements of his famous painting, “Odalisque.’’ Pasmore's composition is highly formal, showing carefully calculated relationships between form, line, and space, resulting in overlapping geometric shapes that create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, as the muted colour palette emphasises the sensual and intimate atmosphere of the artist's studio. Intriguing about this work is how Pasmore mutes the body of the woman by abstracting her torso within the white ben linens foreshadowing his keen interest in the movement and aesthetics.

This painting's fusion of art historical references and aesthetics makes it a compelling work attesting to its price of £221,500 (fees included) at Sotheby's in June 1997, the second-highest price achieved for a Pasmore artwork.

This artwork marks a significant turning point in Victor Pasmore's artistic trajectory, symbolising his departure from representational painting techniques learned at the Euston Road School and embracing abstraction. It represents a convergence of diverse artistic influences, blending a vibrant colour palette reminiscent of American Abstract Expressionists with geometric forms evocative of British modern abstract artists like Terry Frost. In a manner akin to his English counterparts, Pasmore draws inspiration from the natural world, embarking on an aesthetic transformation inspired by cosmic grandeur.

Abstract in Indian Red, Crimson, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink and Orange (1957) achieved a notable sale of £200,000 (fees included) at Christie's in October 2019, underscoring its artistic and historical significance.