Pierre Molinier

(French, 1900–1976)

Pierre Molinier was a French Surrealist painter and photographer best known for his erotic sadomasochistic imagery. Born on April 13, 1900 in Agen, France, Molinier began his artistic practice as a landscape painter, working in the Fauve and Impressionist styles. Following World War II, he began to explore the eroticism and fetishistic influences that would characterize his later work. In 1955, he developed a correspondence with the Surrealist André Breton, who initially encouraged Molinier’s work—however, the notoriously homophobic Breton later withdrew his support when he became aware of Molinier’s sexuality. In 1965, the artist began to make autoerotic self-portraits and photomontages in his Bordeaux apartment, which he referred to as his boudoir. These photographs feature Molinier and occasionally other models dressed in women’s lingerie and engaged in erotic and sadomasochistic acts. The figures in his works are often collaged into vertical or radially symmetrical configurations. In the 1970s, Molinier’s health began to decline, and he committed suicide on March 3, 1976 at his home in Bordeaux, France.

Pierre Molinier Artworks

Pierre Molinier (1,516 results)
Eperon d'amour, ca. 1960

Pierre Molinier

Eperon d'amour, ca. 1960

CLAMP

Price on Request

My Legs, 1968

Pierre Molinier

My Legs, 1968

Richard Saltoun Gallery

Price on Request

Ce qui est merveilleux, 1966

Pierre Molinier

Ce qui est merveilleux, 1966

CLAMP

Price on Request

Untitled

Pierre Molinier

Untitled

Tony Shafrazi Gallery

Price on Request

Le modèle (Jean), 1970

Pierre Molinier

Le modèle (Jean), 1970

Sale Date: March 16, 2024

Auction Closed

Éperon d'amour, 1960

Pierre Molinier

Éperon d'amour, 1960

Sale Date: March 16, 2024

Auction Closed

Éperon d'amour, 1960

Pierre Molinier

Éperon d'amour, 1960

Sale Date: March 16, 2024

Auction Closed

Jambes avec porte-jarretelles, vue de dos..., 1955

Pierre Molinier

Jambes avec porte-jarretelles, vue de dos..., 1955

Sale Date: March 16, 2024

Auction Closed

LA GRANDE MÊLÉE

Pierre Molinier

LA GRANDE MÊLÉE

Sale Date: April 12, 2024

Auction Closed

2 COLLAGES ORIGINAUX D'UN PHOTO-MONTAGE

Pierre Molinier

2 COLLAGES ORIGINAUX D'UN PHOTO-MONTAGE

Sale Date: April 12, 2024

Auction Closed