Peter Saul's early works, spanning from 1957 to 1965, represent a formative period in his career, where he laid the groundwork for his distinctive style that would come to challenge societal norms and critique American culture with a unique blend of humor, grotesque imagery, and vibrant color. After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in fine arts, Saul traveled to Europe, living in various places including Amsterdam and Paris. This period was marked by a significant exploration and development of his artistic voice, deeply influenced by his experiences and observations abroad (Venus Over Manhattan).
During his time in Europe, Saul began to integrate representational images reminiscent of the America of his childhood into his paintings, such as Superman, Donald Duck, and Mickey Mouse, alongside themes of capital punishment and references to the comic strip Crime Does Not Pay. His discovery and incorporation of American imagery from publications like LIFE, TIME, and MAD Magazine were pivotal, providing a rich source of subversive motifs for his work. This phase was characterized by an "obvious narrative" that evolved spontaneously, surprising even Saul himself with its direction and content (MW Gallery).
Saul's narrative-driven paintings from this era critiqued American culture through a lens that was both innovative and ahead of its time, particularly as he moved away from the abstract works he initially produced in Europe. By the time he returned to America in 1964, his style had become more defined, with more grotesque figures, a more garish use of color, and a clearer narrative thread. Saul's ability to let the paintings "speak for themselves" without adhering to a particular message or ideology was a hallmark of his work during this period. He allowed his work to embody a range of perspectives, even those he personally disagreed with, as a means of exploring the full spectrum of ideas and expressions available to him as an artist (MW Gallery).
Art critic John Yau has praised Saul's ability to orchestrate intertwining, overlapping figures with a palette that elevates the work to a "fever pitch," highlighting the meticulous detail with which Saul depicts mayhem and violence within his paintings (Wikipedia). This early phase of Saul's career set the stage for his later work, establishing him as a significant figure in American art, known for his ability to challenge and critique societal norms through his unique and vibrant artistic language. His work from this period, including iconic pieces from the Ice Box series and early paintings addressing the Vietnam War, showcases his transition from abstract expressionism to the narrative-driven, colorful, and critical style that would define his career (MW Gallery).