Bernard Buffet is a great contemporary expressionist painter. As one of the pioneers of the expressionist movement, this artist was influenced by countless artistic connections such as Théodore Géricault, Jacques-Louis David, and Vincent Van Gogh. Passionate about Japanese art, Bernard Buffet left behind several works that have made history.
Bernard Buffet, his style, and favorite themes
A famous French painter of the 20th century,
Bernard Buffet was born on July 10, 1928. He spent his childhood in Paris, more precisely in the rue des Batignolles, and won his entrance to the Higher National School of Fine Arts in Paris when he was barely 15 years old. Seen as a "miserabilist expressionist" because of his rather singular style, this artist received his first commission from the famous National Museum of Modern Art in 1947. Sculptor, watercolorist, and popular illustrator, his favorite themes were landscapes, nude men, women, the circus, and the dead nature. Bernard Buffet also painted several clowns during his career. Generally, the clowns he painted were depressing and sad with angular faces. Around 1952, Bernard Buffet began to make engravings and lithographs. At the request of an avid collector, Dr. Girardin, he engraved 125 drypoints to illustrate Lautréamont's Chants de Maldoror. This work was published by Les Dix. For more information, visit the
GALERIE ESTADES.
Bernard Buffet and the painters who influenced him
During his life, Bernard Buffet was fond of the neo-classical movement and of the eminent painter Jacques-Louis David. He also adored Théodore Géricault who is, without a doubt, the true incarnation of what romance is. Influenced by Titian and Michelangelo, Bernard Buffet also spent many years in Italy. During this period of his life, he assiduously visited museums and learned a great deal about Italian art. However, even though Bernard Buffet admired the Impressionist movement, it was Vincent Van Gogh who had the greatest influence on his style.
Bernard Buffet and his attraction to Japanese art
Bernard Buffet was fascinated by the cultures of the Land of the Rising Sun. For him, Japanese art, particularly the works of Kiichiro Okano, was among the best. Having become great friends over the years, Okano created an art gallery dedicated solely to the paintings of the French painter. In fact, a museum carrying the name of
Bernard Buffet was opened on November 25, 1973, in Higashino, Japan. By visiting the gallery, one can contemplate nearly 2000 works of the artist.