\u201cOne must not confuse painting with politeness.\u201d
Bernard Buffet<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bernard Buffet<\/a> was born on 10 July 1928 in Paris, in the Batignolles district. He was the son of Charles Buffet, a father he barely knew, and Blanche, a mother who devoted passionate love to her son. She died when he was still young, leaving Bernard orphaned. This trauma would follow him throughout his life, imprinting his work with deep sadness and despair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For his admirers, Bernard Buffet embodied pure artistic genius. Admitted to the \u00c9cole Nationale des Beaux-Arts at the age of fifteen, he remained there only two years before choosing to work independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His artistic personality began to assert itself around 1946. From that time onward, his works were exhibited annually in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1946, he exhibited a Self-Portrait at the Salon des Moins de Trente Ans. In 1947, he was admitted to the Salon des Ind\u00e9pendants, where he showed L\u2019Homme Accoud\u00e9, followed by participation in the Salon d\u2019Automne. In December of that year, his first solo exhibition was held at the Librairie des Impressions d\u2019Art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognition came swiftly: Raymond Cogniat acquired Still Life with Chicken for the Mus\u00e9e National d\u2019Art Moderne in Paris. His early angular figures immediately aligned him with the expressionist movement associated with Francis Gruber and Georges Rouault. Like a celebrated actor or musician, Bernard Buffet signed autographs and appeared on the covers of major publications from Paris-Match to Newsweek and The Times. Introduced to collectors by painter Aujame, he received the Prix de la Critique in 1948 at just twenty years old, jointly with Bernard Lorjou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1948, he met art dealer Emmanuel David, who played a decisive role in launching his international career, beginning with an exhibition at Galerie Drouant-David in Paris in 1949.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emmanuel David signed Bernard Buffet to an exclusive contract, shared from 1957 with Maurice Garnier, who held total exclusivity from 1968 until the artist\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1955, Buffet was named the leading French post-war artist by the magazine Connaissance des Arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paint was costly at the time, and Bernard Buffet used it sparingly: limited material and restrained colours, dominated by greys, blacks, browns and greens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His works are powerful and moving. The determined line stretches like a supplication. Grey faces, furrowed brows, sparse hair and clenched hands give his figures a crucified presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His new artistic personality captivated audiences: the Bernard Buffet style became unmistakable, to the point that Monsignor Pasquale Macchi, secretary to Pope Paul VI, requested paintings for the Vatican. Bernard Buffet donated a series representing the Passion of Christ, completed in 1961.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBernard Buffet\u2019s First Salons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Emergence of the Bernard Buffet Style<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Leading French Post-War Artist<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bernard Buffet and the Call of Colour<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n