Narrative Figuration may be the most important artistic movement of recent decades. It emerged in France in the early 1960s as a reaction to the dominant abstraction of the time, driven by artists who now resonate at the heart of art history. Names such as Erro, Gérard Fromanger, Robert Combas, Hervé Télémaque, Hervé Di Rosa, and François Boisrond are key figures of this movement.

Figuration Narrative : Mouvement Post-Pop Art

To understand the birth of Narrative Figuration, one must consider the context in which it arose. Like many movements, it emerged in response to the dominance of lyrical and geometric abstraction. Artists of this movement found abstraction to be increasingly detached from social and cultural realities, and sought to reestablish a more direct connection with the viewer by using recognizable images to visually convey stories.

Their Codes? Elements of mass culture, used to better critique and comment on contemporary phenomena.

How to Recognize Narrative Figuration Artists? They share a common approach of reintroducing figurative and narrative elements into contemporary art, drawing inspiration from popular media such as comic books, advertising posters, cinema, and press photography.

Using this popular imagery, they create visually striking and easily understandable compositions that immediately capture the public’s attention.

Unlike abstract art, which often avoids any form of direct representation, Narrative Figuration offers explicit visual narratives to discover.

Central Themes of the Movement? Mass consumption, war, politics, and the media—wrapped in flashy and pop colors to deliver incisive critiques of their time’s issues.

Through captivating visual works, these artists managed to connect art with the public around social, political, and cultural critique!

Recognition and dissemination of the movement took place through various exhibitions. Notably, “Mythologies quotidiennes” (1964) at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is often considered the official starting point of Narrative Figuration. This exhibition brought together works from several artists of the movement, highlighting their shared interest in visual storytelling and social critique.

The “Narrative Art” (1973) exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York helped to introduce Narrative Figuration beyond European borders, emphasizing its influence on the international art scene.

“Les années 70 : l’art en cause” (2001) at the Centre Pompidou revisited the contributions of Narrative Figuration in the broader context of 1970s art, showing its lasting impact and evolutions. Key artists of Narrative Figuration have also had numerous individual retrospectives in prestigious institutions, such as the Centre Pompidou, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, and other international museums.

Artists of Narrative Figuration

Among the major figures of Narrative Figuration, Gérard Fromanger is particularly notable. Known for his colorful works and sharp social critiques, Fromanger often uses photography as a starting point for his paintings. His works address themes such as the May 1968 protests, consumer society, and mass media, using vibrant colors and dynamic compositions.

Erró, an Icelandic artist based in Paris, is another prominent representative of the movement. He blends elements of pop art and Narrative Figuration to create complex and satirical visual collages. Erró frequently critiques international politics, armed conflicts, and the excesses of consumer society through detailed and meaningful works.

Originally from Haiti, Hervé Télémaque brings a unique perspective to Narrative Figuration. His works are known for their fusion of traditional African art, Caribbean influences, and American pop culture, often with a political dimension. Télémaque uses fragmented images and symbols to explore themes such as colonialism, the African diaspora, and social inequalities.

Robert Combas, a leading figure in the related Figuration Libre movement, uses bright colors and dynamic compositions to create works that incorporate elements of popular culture, myths, and personal stories. His energetic style and often humorous or provocative themes have left a mark on the contemporary art scene.

Hervé Di Rosa, co-founder of Figuration Libre with Robert Combas, is known for his colorful and lively works inspired by popular culture, comics, and traditional crafts from around the world. His work often explores joyful and playful themes while remaining anchored in subtle social critique.

François Boisrond, another key artist of Figuration Libre, draws inspiration from popular media, television, and advertising to create dynamic and narrative works. His style is characterized by bold use of colors and compositions that capture moments of everyday life with a critical and humorous eye.

Narrative Figuration has thus had a significant influence on the development of contemporary art, particularly in Europe. This movement rehabilitated figurative and narrative imagery in a context dominated by abstraction, paving the way for new forms of artistic expression that integrate mass culture and social concerns. The artists of Narrative Figuration have inspired subsequent generations, especially those involved in movements such as Figuration Libre and street art. The return to figurative imagery and social critique has become recurring elements in contemporary art, influencing artists worldwide!