Charles Sorlier was a French master printer, lithographer, and artist who worked extensively with many well-known artists of the 20th century, including Marc Chagall and Joan Miró. Born on November 6, 1921, in Nice, France, Sorlier began his career as an artist before being introduced to lithography in 1949 by the printer Fernand Mourlot. Sorlier quickly became fascinated with the technique and worked closely with Mourlot, eventually taking over the studio after his death in 1968.
Sorlier is most well-known for his collaborations with Marc Chagall, for whom he printed more than 1,000 lithographs over a period of 25 years. Sorlier’s work with Chagall was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of lithography as a medium, experimenting with new techniques and colors to create vivid, expressive prints. Sorlier’s collaboration with Chagall resulted in some of the most iconic and recognizable prints of the 20th century.
In addition to Chagall, Sorlier also worked with other notable artists, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Alexander Calder. He printed some of Picasso’s most important late works, including the Vollard Suite, a series of 100 etchings created between 1930 and 1937 that is considered one of the most important print series of the 20th century. Sorlier’s work with Miró included printing the celebrated Miro Lithographs, a 12-volume set of lithographs published between 1972 and 1981.
Throughout his career, Sorlier was dedicated to pushing the boundaries of printmaking, experimenting with new techniques and materials to create innovative, expressive prints. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to working closely with artists to bring their visions to life on paper.
Sorlier’s contributions to the world of printmaking were recognized with numerous honors and awards over the course of his career. He was awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, one of France’s highest honors, in 1984. In 1990, he was awarded the Grand Prix des Arts de la Ville de Paris, and in 2000, he was awarded the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite.
Charles Sorlier died on August 17, 1990, in Antibes, France. He left behind a legacy as one of the most important master printers and lithographers of the 20th century, and his collaborations with some of the greatest artists of the era continue to be celebrated and admired by collectors and art lovers around the world.
