BERNARD BUFFET 1928-1999

A painter of melancholy and gaunt faces, Bernard Buffet (1928-1999) left his mark on the 20th century with a sharp and inimitable style. A major Expressionist, he established himself as one of the most striking figurative artists of his time, exploring themes of anguish, solitude, and the human condition with raw intensity. His work, characterized by austere precision and poignant strength, is  exhibited at HELENE BAILLY gallery.

Born in Paris in 1928, Bernard Buffet is an artist who joined the École des Beaux-Arts at just 15 years old. Under the guidance of Narbonne, he sought to develop a personal style and eventually decided to pursue his artistic work independently. In 1946, he exhibited his first self-portrait at the Salon des moins de trente ans, marking his debut on the Parisian art scene.

In 1947, he participated in the Salon des Indépendants, and art critic Pierre Descargues organized his first solo exhibition. That same year, his talent was quickly recognized: the Musée National d’Art Moderne acquired his painting Nature morte au poulet. Entering the Prix de la jeune peinture at the Drouant-David gallery, he caught the attention of collector Dr. Girardin, who convinced Emmanuel David to offer him a contract, later shared with Maurice Garnier, who became his exclusive representative in 1968.

From 1947 onwards, Bernard Buffet is a painter who established a distinctive and instantly identifiable style, described as “miserabilist” by critics. Following in the footsteps of Rouault and Gruber, he depicted gaunt figures, stark still lifes, and compositions marked by dark tones and sharp charcoal lines. Often labeled existentialist, his art conveys a brutal and dehumanized vision of the world, rooted in a raw and unsettling reality.

In 1958, he married Annabel Schwobb, who became his muse and lifelong companion. That same year, the Charpentier gallery dedicated a retrospective to him, achieving immense success and solidifying his international recognition.

His work extends far beyond painting: in 1961, he created a series of religious frescoes for the Chapel of Château l’Arc, and in 1971, the secretary of Pope Paul VI commissioned a series of paintings exhibited in a dedicated hall at the Vatican Museums.

The impact of Bernard Buffet is an artist that transcends borders. His work traveled worldwide, and Japan honored him by dedicating a museum in his name. In 1986, after living in numerous residences, he settled permanently in Tourtour, in the Haut-Var, where he passed away in 1999.

Honored with numerous distinctions, he was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1971 and elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1974.