François Morellet (1926–2016) was a pioneering French conceptual painter, sculptor, and light artist, widely recognized for his influential role in the development of geometric abstraction and Concrete Art. Rejecting the idea of individual artistic genius, Morellet viewed the artist as a facilitator, often employing systems, chance, and predefined rules to generate his compositions. This method-led approach aligned him closely with Concrete-Constructivist and Neo-Plasticist traditions, through which he explored the picture plane as an infinite, expandable field.
In 1961, Morellet co-founded the Groupe de Recherche d'Art Visuel (GRAV) in Paris alongside artists such as Julio Le Parc and Francisco Sobrino. The collective, composed of eleven opto-kinetic artists, sought to develop new modes of visual perception and actively engage the viewer. Around this period, Morellet began working extensively with neon tubes, a medium that became central to his practice and allowed him to translate geometric systems into architectural space using light.
Throughout his career, Morellet experimented with a wide range of materials, including tape, fabric, walls, and fluorescent light, consistently applying mathematical structures, grids, and playful irony to challenge traditional notions of composition and authorship. Alongside his paintings and installations, Morellet produced a significant body of signed limited edition prints and screenprints that translate his systematic approach to geometry and optical effects into collectible formats. His work has been the subject of major retrospectives at institutions such as the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, the Nationalgalerie in Berlin, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
In 2010, Morellet became only the second living artist to present a permanent installation at the Louvre, unveiling L'esprit d'escalier, a site-specific work that underscored his lasting impact on contemporary art and architecture. Born in Cholet, France, François Morellet lived and worked there until his death in 2016, just days after his 90th birthday.
