Black Quote by Pierre Soulages
“I've always loved black, and I realized that, from the beginning, man went into completely dark caves to paint. They painted with black too. They could have painted with white because there were white stones all over the ground, but no, they chose to paint with black in the dark.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art Talk, Pierre Soulages, 1999
He notes that early humans chose black pigment despite available white, suggesting a deliberate aesthetic preference for darkness.
In simple terms: Humans chose black over white for art.
Key Takeaway
Embrace intentional choices in creation.
Themes
art
aesthetics
human nature
Mood
contemplative
reflective
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- cave painting
- modern art
- design decisions
Key Concepts
symbolism
contrast
cultural expression
Questions to Reflect On
- Why might artists prefer darkness?
- What does black symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
Choosing black may limit visual variety.
