Bernard Buffet
French, (1928–1999)
Label from "The Founder's Eye" Exhibition:
The talent of Bernard Buffet was recognized at an early age. At the age of 18, he had his first painting, a self-portrait, exhibited at the Salon des Moins de Trente Ans at the Galerie Beaux-Arts. Just a year later, in 1947, he had his first solo exhibition, organized by Guy Weelen and Michel Brient, at the Art Impressions bookshop in Paris. That same year he was awarded the Prix de la Critique (Critic's Prize) at the Galerie Saint-Placide in Paris.
In 1959, at the age of 30, Galerie Charpentier gave Buffet his first retrospective. A series of paintings depicting the life of Jesus Christ, created in 1961, are on permanent exhibition at the Vatican Museum. On November 23, 1973, the Bernard Buffet Museum was inaugurated by Kiichiro Okano in Surugadaira, Japan.
Buffet is known for his bold and rhythmic style, which is evidenced in Au Bord du Seine. Early in his career, the artist created works that were often raw and had a sense of despair. At this time, Buffet worked in black and white with shades of muted gray. The artist enjoyed success in the post-World War II years and believed that "painters, as witnesses to their times," should record that time, in keeping with the philosophy of Existentialism, which flowered in Paris in the 1950s.
French, (1928–1999)
Label from "The Founder's Eye" Exhibition:
The talent of Bernard Buffet was recognized at an early age. At the age of 18, he had his first painting, a self-portrait, exhibited at the Salon des Moins de Trente Ans at the Galerie Beaux-Arts. Just a year later, in 1947, he had his first solo exhibition, organized by Guy Weelen and Michel Brient, at the Art Impressions bookshop in Paris. That same year he was awarded the Prix de la Critique (Critic's Prize) at the Galerie Saint-Placide in Paris.
In 1959, at the age of 30, Galerie Charpentier gave Buffet his first retrospective. A series of paintings depicting the life of Jesus Christ, created in 1961, are on permanent exhibition at the Vatican Museum. On November 23, 1973, the Bernard Buffet Museum was inaugurated by Kiichiro Okano in Surugadaira, Japan.
Buffet is known for his bold and rhythmic style, which is evidenced in Au Bord du Seine. Early in his career, the artist created works that were often raw and had a sense of despair. At this time, Buffet worked in black and white with shades of muted gray. The artist enjoyed success in the post-World War II years and believed that "painters, as witnesses to their times," should record that time, in keeping with the philosophy of Existentialism, which flowered in Paris in the 1950s.
Artist Objects
Artist Images