One week after his death aged 102, a national tribute was in honour of French painter Pierre Soulages in the Louvre on Wednesday, presided over by President Emmanuel Macron.
The French president presided over the ceremony, also attended by his wife Brigitte Macron, senior members of the government and the artist’s family.
Soulages was revered by many modern art fans around the world for his paintings in various shades of black.
Such ceremonies for icons of French culture tend to be held at the Hôtel des Invalides. But the Louvre courtyard has hosted national tributes for renowned artistic figures in the past, including architect Le Corbusier in 1965 and novelist André Malraux in 1976.
