Bernard Buffet Paintings: Style and Techniques

Throughout his life, this remarkable painter was the subject of numerous debates. At the heart of the controversy were his style, considered by some to be insufficiently academic, and his choice of subjects. Today, leading figures of contemporary art such as Andy Warhol have referred to him as “the greatest French painter” of the 20th century.

What Defines Bernard Buffet’s Style ?

Bernard Buffet’s style is built upon a rigorous and highly recognisable pictorial system.

His paintings are distinguished by:

  • a network of sharp, straight black lines
  • elongated figures
  • a geometric construction of forms
  • a constant dramatic tension
  • a powerful graphic signature

Bernard Buffet did not seek to please. He championed an instinctive approach to painting:

“Painting is not something to be discussed or analysed, but to be felt.”

He mixed his colours directly on his worktable, without a palette, favouring a direct and physical relationship with the medium.

> Purchase a Bernard Buffet painting 

The Evolution of Bernard Buffet’s Palette

Bernard Buffet’s stylistic evolution is also reflected in his palette.

  • 1940s–1950s: dominance of greys, blacks, ochres and browns
  • After 1958: emergence of brighter, more contrasting colours
  • 1970s: return to a more classical harmony

Despite these chromatic evolutions, the linear structure and verticality of forms remain constant.

> Explore the themes in Bernard Buffet’s work

Beyond Painting: The Techniques Used by Bernard Buffet

Painting

Oil on canvas remains the most sought-after technique. It forms the core of his production and includes his most important works.

Drawing and Ink

Bernard Buffet also worked extensively with India ink and pencil, reinforcing the central role of line in his art.

Printmaking and Editions

He explored several printmaking techniques:

  • etching
  • drypoint
  • lithography

In 1952, Bernard Buffet created his first lithograph, Les Chardons. He notably collaborated with the Mourlot studio, an internationally renowned lithography workshop frequented by Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso.

Galeries Estades permanently presents original lithographs from this important collaboration, selected for their exceptional quality.

> Discover Bernard Buffet lithographs available at Galerie Estades

How Much Does a Bernard Buffet Painting Cost?

The price of a Bernard Buffet painting depends on:

  • the technique
  • the dimensions
  • the subject
  • the period
  • the condition

As an indication, an oil on canvas by Bernard Buffet generally ranges from €30,000 to €1,000,000 depending on its significance.

Works from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as major large-scale compositions, are among the most sought-after.

> Learn more about Bernard Buffet’s market value

Acquiring a Bernard Buffet Painting

Acquiring a Bernard Buffet painting means investing in a major signature of 20th-century figurative art.

Galerie Estades selects authenticated works chosen for their quality and their relevance within the artist’s stylistic development.

Our team assists you with:

  • selecting the artwork
  • stylistic analysis
  • expert appraisal
  • building and structuring an art collection