Colorful abstract

Born Louis-Jacques Beauchemin in Montreal, Louis Jaque is a leading figure of the second generation of abstract art in Quebec. A co-founder of the Association des artistes non-figuratifs de Montréal (AANFM), he developed a unique visual language—both rigorous and poetic—that explores the invisible structures of the universe.

Jaque’s philosophy is rooted in the search for universal harmony. Unlike the explosive spontaneity of the Automatists, Jaque favours a thoughtful, almost mathematical abstraction. His aesthetic is influenced by science, astronomy, and architecture; he sought to capture the waves, energy flows, and light that govern the cosmos. For him, painting was a means of structuring the chaos of the world to reveal its ordered beauty.

He is famous for his sinuous forms and ribbons of color that seem to float in space. His color gradients are so subtle that they create a sense of volume and depth. His works radiate a luminosity that seems to emanate from behind the canvas, evoking celestial phenomena or futuristic landscapes.

Jaque created several monumental works, including murals for public buildings, believing that abstraction should engage in a dialogue with the built environment. As a co-founder of the AANFM alongside Fernand Leduc, he played a crucial role in promoting non-figurative art at a time when Quebec was opening up to modernity.