Bernard Buffet

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Bernard Buffet (10 July 1928 – 4 October 1999) was a renowned French painter of the mid-20th century. He was known for his distinctive style characterized by stark, angular lines and a somber palette. Buffet's work spanned various genres, including portraiture, landscapes, and still life.

Early Life and Education

Bernard Buffet was born in Paris, France. He showed an early interest in art and attended the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. During his time at the school, he studied under the tutelage of Eugène Narbonne, a notable French painter.

Career

Buffet's career took off in the late 1940s. In 1946, he held his first solo exhibition at the Galerie des Impressions d'Art in Paris. His work quickly gained recognition, and by 1948, he had won the Prix de la Critique, a significant accolade that bolstered his reputation in the art world.

Style and Themes

Buffet's style is often described as expressionist, marked by its use of sharp, angular lines and a muted color palette. His subjects often conveyed a sense of melancholy and existential angst, reflecting the post-war sentiment in Europe. Common themes in his work included religion, death, and the human condition.

Notable Works

Some of Bernard Buffet's most notable works include:

• Clown (1955)
• The Annunciation (1961)
• The Madwoman (1963)
• The Crucifixion (1965)

Personal Life

In 1958, Buffet married Annabel Schwob, a writer and singer. The couple had three children. Buffet's personal life was often tumultuous, and he struggled with depression throughout his life.

Later Years and Death

In the 1980s and 1990s, Buffet's popularity waned, but he continued to produce art. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the late 1990s, which severely affected his ability to paint. On 4 October 1999, Bernard Buffet took his own life at his home in Tourtour, Var, France.

Legacy

Despite the fluctuations in his popularity, Bernard Buffet remains a significant figure in 20th-century art. His works are held in numerous public and private collections worldwide, including the Musée Bernard Buffet in Surugadaira, Japan.

See Also

• Expressionism
• French art
• 20th-century art