Bernard Buffet
I spotted this image by Bernard Buffet in a World of Interiors yesterday, and then put in a tiny bit of effort to find out more about this artist.
My skim of the Wikipedia page and Musee Bernard Buffet page told me that Buffet was a painter in Paris from the mid 1940s, and he died in 1999. He exhibited frequently, and had his first retrospective show at the age of 30. He died of suicide after getting Parkinsons disease that stopped him from working.
While I looked through the Google image search of his work, I found myself strongly attracted to the colours and lines that Buffet used in his interiors and still lives, but somewhat repelled by his paintings of clowns, and crucified Christs, which seemed a bit cartoony, stiff and (sorry Bernard) kitsch. Although he uses the same kinds of colours and lines for both, they seem to work more successfully in the depiction of inanimate objects.
Visit the Musee Bernard Buffet website for a more erudite and forgiving approach to this painter’s work.
H is for Home
One of my favourite artists. We’ve got a collection of LP covers that he illustrated – Ella Fitzgerald sings Gershwin. Will have to share them in a blog post one day!
skinnylaminx
I’m glad you like him too & would love to see your LP covers. I think I find his work a little perplexing as it seems very illustrat-y, but he’s positioned as a fine artist. Awfully confusing for a small brain like mine. xx
Thea | mon ami
Thank you for reminding me of his work. I found a couple little books of his illustrations when I was teenager and loved how dark and angsty (much like me as a teenager) he could make a plate of fish look.
I should see if I can find those books again in my boxes in the garage!
Tania
I had never heard of this painter until today – his work is so beautiful! I’m going to Paris in September, and it is making me feel strangely nostalgic for a trip and memories that are yet to come.
heloise
How lovely to see you this morning – have a wonderful week
skinnylaminx
Great to see you too! xx
Melinda
I really liked his stamp designs.
The Shopping Sherpa
His work reminds me of Australian artist John Brack: http://www.google.com.au/images?q=%22john+brack%22&rls=com.microsoft:en-au:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ASUT&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=LlFuTMXjH4WovQP51dFB&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQsAQwAA&biw=1345&bih=583
skinnylaminx
Definitely! Actually, the resemblance is quite uncanny. Thanks for sending through that link. xx