Claude
Tousignant
Claude Tousignant is a significant figure in Canadian art, celebrated for his innovative prints that exemplify Geometric Abstraction. His artworks enhance the understanding of colour and form in Contemporary Art. If you’re looking for original Claude Tousignant prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.
Claude Tousignant art for sale
Discover Claude Tousignant prints for sale, exclusively available through our private network of collectors. Explore signed and unsigned screenprints, lithographs, digital prints, and rare editioned proof prints by era-defining blue chip artists.
Sell Your Art
with Us
with Us
Join Our Network of Collectors. Buy, Sell and Track Demand
Biography
Tousignant is an influential Canadian painter whose career has significantly contributed to the Geometric Abstraction movement. Born in Montreal, Quebec, on December 23, 1932, he was inspired by European masters, notably Piet Mondrian. Between 1948-51 he studied at the School of Art and Design at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where he was taught by artists including Jacques de Tonnancour and Gordon Webber.
In the early stages of his career, Tousignant focused on creating abstract compositions that explored sensory engagement through colour, developing a visual language characterised by bold geometric shapes and dynamic palettes. His objective has always been to produce artworks that resonate emotionally with viewers, fostering a connection through the expressive power of colour.
Tousignant's iconic target paintings began in the late 1950s. These works typically showcase concentric circles and striking colour contrasts, inviting viewers to engage with a vibrant interplay of hues.
Throughout his extensive career, Tousignant has exhibited widely, with significant exhibitions at institutions including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Art Mur. His contributions to the art world have been recognised by his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Tousignant’s printmaking, exemplified by his 1975 screenprint Cyclothon, extends his exploration of colour, form, and perception seen in his target paintings. Cyclothon features concentric circles in vivid hues, echoing the dynamic interplay of colour that characterises his larger body of work. By translating his bold, circular forms into the medium of print, Tousignant achieves a similar optical impact on a more intimate scale. This print, like his paintings, emphasises his dedication to exploring the effects of colour and repetition, reinforcing his legacy within Canadian Abstraction.
In 2023, Tousignant died, leaving a legacy defined by a vibrant exploration of colour and geometric forms.