PRINTCatalogue Note:
BUFFET WAS AN ECSTATIC PROPONENT OF THE LINE. IN HIS LINES, THE CALLIGRAPHIC ORIENTALISM OF FRENCH MODERNISM IS COMBINED WITH THE HIERATIC EXPRESSIONISM OF A ROUAULT OR MANESSIER AND THE ‘LIGNE CLAIRE’ OF CONTEMPORARY PRINTED ILLUSTRATIONS. – ALEXANDER ROOB
“Rue et Église” depicts a quiet street view that narrows down to further houses in between a church rising to a typical conical top on the left and various red and yellow structural buildings with paneled windows. Once again, the crispness of Buffet’s lines display magnificent technical skill that brings forth a sense of melancholy underling the inherent complexity of Buffet’s aesthetic. “Rue et Église” remains especially melancholically, punctuated with poignant colors that r emains true to Buffet’s signature style. Buffet had been highly prolific in his oeuvre with an estimate of over a million canvases and an unknown number of drawings and engravings. There were no preparatory sketches for his works, he would complete them with unearthly precision and worked directly onto the canvas, all characterized by the same confident, infallible lines. Furthermore, recent world record for one of Buf fet’s paintings at auction have lead many to embrace Bernard Buffet as one of the most interesting and controversial artists of his time.
In 1973, Buffet was awarded the Légion d'Honneur in recognition of his outstanding contributions. At 46 years old in 1974, he became the youngest Membre de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts. This is a lifelong honor; only when a member passes away can another living artist be elected. It is without doubt the highest recognition the French government can offer to artists. Chinese artists Chu Teh-Chun and Zao Wou-ki both received the same honor in 1997 and 2002 respectively, one at the age of 77, and the other at 81. The Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville held exhibitions of Buffet’s work in 2012 and 2016. The 2016 retrospective exhibition was closely followed by another exhibition at Musée de Montmartre et Jardins Renoir. Along with the new record prices in international auction houses, the world has gained a new, modern perspective on this genius artist, who held so fast to figurative painting, as a talent who should not lost in time. Abstract art may have led the art world for decades in the 20th century, but new figurative artists like Buffet also represent post-war contemporary art, and deserve their place in history. It remains for others to return them to their fair evaluation.
“Rue et Église” depicts a quiet street view that narrows down to further houses in between a church rising to a typical conical top on the left and various red and yellow structural buildings with paneled windows. Once again, the crispness of Buffet’s lines display magnificent technical skill that brings forth a sense of melancholy underling the inherent complexity of Buffet’s aesthetic. “Rue et Église” remains especially melancholically, punctuated with poignant colors that r emains true to Buffet’s signature style. Buffet had been highly prolific in his oeuvre with an estimate of over a million canvases and an unknown number of drawings and engravings. There were no preparatory sketches for his works, he would complete them with unearthly precision and worked directly onto the canvas, all characterized by the same confident, infallible lines. Furthermore, recent world record for one of Buf fet’s paintings at auction have lead many to embrace Bernard Buffet as one of the most interesting and controversial artists of his time.
In 1973, Buffet was awarded the Légion d'Honneur in recognition of his outstanding contributions. At 46 years old in 1974, he became the youngest Membre de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts. This is a lifelong honor; only when a member passes away can another living artist be elected. It is without doubt the highest recognition the French government can offer to artists. Chinese artists Chu Teh-Chun and Zao Wou-ki both received the same honor in 1997 and 2002 respectively, one at the age of 77, and the other at 81. The Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville held exhibitions of Buffet’s work in 2012 and 2016. The 2016 retrospective exhibition was closely followed by another exhibition at Musée de Montmartre et Jardins Renoir. Along with the new record prices in international auction houses, the world has gained a new, modern perspective on this genius artist, who held so fast to figurative painting, as a talent who should not lost in time. Abstract art may have led the art world for decades in the 20th century, but new figurative artists like Buffet also represent post-war contemporary art, and deserve their place in history. It remains for others to return them to their fair evaluation.