André Lanskoy - The Alchemist of Lyrical Abstraction

André Lanskoy (1902-1976)

André Lanskoy is one of the major figures of the School of Paris. His artistic journey, marked by a progressive transition from figuration to a dense and vibrant lyrical abstraction, made him a pivotal player in the post-war European art scene. Born in Moscow into an aristocratic family, he left Russia after the 1917 revolution and settled in Paris in 1921. There, he attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and began painting from nature, meeting Mikhail Larionov, who helped integrate him into the artistic community. His first solo exhibition took place in 1924 at the La Licorne gallery, where he was presented alongside artists such as Chaïm Soutine. While his early works were characterized by expressive figurative painting, a significant turning point occurred in the late 1930s following his discovery of the work of Wassily Kandinsky. He produced a series of gouaches between 1938 and 1940 which marked his transition to abstraction, a shift that became definitive by the early 1940s when he abandoned figuration entirely.

A Total Creative Spectrum

Lanskoy did not limit himself to painting; he explored many mediums in a constant search for color, rhythm, and light. His oil canvases are characterized by a dense texture and a construction of colored facets often compared to a mosaic. Gouache also played a central role in his work, allowing him to freely explore color relationships, and he developed a significant practice of collage and cut paper. Furthermore, Lanskoy was an important lithographer, using the medium as a space for experimentation with transparencies and layering. From the 1950s, he collaborated with the Aubusson factory on tapestry cartoons, and in the 1970s, he dedicated himself to mosaic work, notably for the faculty in Rennes after staying in Ravenna to deepen his technical knowledge. Among his major achievements is his interpretation of Nikolai Gogol's Diary of a Madman, a project to which he devoted several years and which included numerous collages, gouaches, and lithographic suites.

The Legacy in the Studio Cinquante Collection

The works of Lanskoy in our collection, particularly his signed lithographs and chromatic compositions, demonstrate a unique balance between structure and spontaneity. They fully embody his search for a plastic language based on rhythm and color, where each work becomes a sensory experience. As Lanskoy himself noted, there are two things that matter: rhythms and forms, for it is the assembly of rhythms that gives rise to forms.

Why invest in André Lanskoy?

Lanskoy is a cornerstone of Lyrical Abstraction whose market is international and robust. While his large-scale oil paintings command significant prices at auction, his works on paper and original lithographs offer an accessible entry point into the School of Paris. His dual heritage, merging Russian emotional intensity with French formal elegance, ensures his work remains a staple for serious collectors of 20th-century modernism.

Living with the work

An André Lanskoy work is a celebration of energy. His "mosaic" style compositions bring a rhythmic pulse to an interior, making them ideal for living areas or creative spaces. Because of his sophisticated use of color, his works pair beautifully with both classic mid-century furniture and bold, contemporary designs. A Lanskoy lithograph acts as a focal point, drawing the eye through its complex layering and vibrant light.

"There are two things that matter: rhythms and forms. It is the assembly of rhythms that gives rise to forms."

André Lanskoy