Signovert was a widely acclaimed exponent of post-war abstraction in Paris, and this work is a superb example of his oeuvre. Having initially trained as an engineer before enrolling at the École des Beaux Arts Saint-Etienne in 1943. His progressive and radical attitude quickly attracted the attention of several influential artworld figures. Not least of those was Aimé Maeght who had just opened her famous Galerie Maeght in Paris, and Signovert would later exhibit there in important shows such as Sur Quatre Murs, Tendences, Le Noir est une Couleur, Les Mains Eblouies that championed the avant-garde of post-war Paris.
His tremendous energy and erudition on abstract art brought Signovert great respect, admired by Jean Fautrier who became a lifelong friend, he became associated with the avant-garde elite such as de Stael, Giacometti, Calder, Poliakoff, Braque, Villon, and Henri-Georges Adam (with whom he shared a passion for engraving as a medium). He was consistently invited to participate in the more radical salons: Salon des Moins de Trente Ans, 1946-1947; Salon de Mai, 1947-1971; Salon des Jeunes Peintres, 1950; Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, 1971-1981.
From 1950 Signovert had become established and received numerous one-man shows (Paris unless otherwise stated): Galerie La Citadella, Ascona, 1950; Musée de Poitiers, 1950; Galerie Jeanne Bucher, 1953; Galerie Diderot, 1955; Galerie Ex Libris, Brussells 1958; Galerie Hans Rodvin, Anvers, 1958; Galerie La Hune, 1963; Galerie Melisa, Lausanne, 1965; Galerie Parnasse, 1970; Musée de Pontoise, 1973; Galerie Prouté, 1974; Galerie Christiane Colin, 1975; Galerie Arcadia 1978. And internationally, notably: Hugo Gallery, New York, 1950; London 1952; Sao Paulo 1953; Wisconsin, USA 1956.
In recognition of his distinguished career, Signovert was nominated Professor of the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris in 1980; awarded the prestigious Prix Fénéon; and celebrated by a major retrospective of his work at Galerie Callu Mérite, Paris. Aswell as a prominent painter, Signovert also worked as a designer on many high profile projects with Roger Chastel, Paul Edouard, Braque, Francis Ponge, Maurice Estève, and André Frenaud.
The artist’s work is represented in major museums of modern art including Musée Nationale d’Art Moderne, Paris; Bibliotheque National, Paris; Museum of Modern Art, New York.
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