Throughout his life (1900-1969) considered himself a researcher in the field of abstraction that for him consisted of a symbiosis of shape and color. He believed that every color required its very own, unique shape in interaction with others. Poliakoff created pictures in which shape and color always suggest a combination of "colored figures".
He succeeded in bringing about the slightest nuances that really set the surface of his paintings in motion not only due to his always harmonious and interesting composition, but also thanks to the specific technique he applied to painting. Late in life he created a new design of such convincing clarity and compelling originality that this U-shaped object became the hallmark of his art.
Poliakoff was acquainted with all the important representatives of abstract art in Paris whose works constitute the main focus of abstract art in the Würth Collection.
Museum Würth dedicates an exhibition to Serge Poliakaff, one of the most outstanding representatives of abstract painting, that consists of more than 130 paintings from all phases of his work. Based on Collection Würth and supplemented by many loans from Polakoff's estate, public museums and private collection, this is the first retrospective of Serge Poliakoff mounted in Germany after his death. The retrospective is documented in detail in the present catalog.