ZHONG CHENG

  • Zhong Cheng 2023 Autumn Auction「Modern And Contemporary Art」
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    BERNARD BUFFET (1928-1999)

    Le Voilier

    1982

    Oil on Canvas
    97 x 130 cm

    Signed Bernard Buffet in English and dated 1982

    Estimate TWD 6,500,000-10,000,000
    USD 200,000-300,000
    HKD 0-0

    Hammer Price TWD 6,300,000
    USD 201,923
    HKD 1,586,902

With a certificate of authenticity from Maurice Garnier gallery, France

Provenance:

Illustrated:

Exhibition:

Exposition:

In the grand tapestry of 20th-century art, artists embarked on a journey of exploration, delving into various styles and themes. This dynamic environment laid the foundation for the vibrant blossoming of both post-modern and contemporary art, as artists sought to convey their innermost emotions and profound aesthetic perspectives. Among these luminaries, the French artist Bernard Buffet stands as a testament to artistic brilliance, particularly in his mesmerizing sailboat-themed oil paintings. Buffet's creations extend beyond mere depictions of sailboats; they transcend into a poetic odyssey, an exploration of life's essence, freedom, and the human spirit.

Born in 1928, Buffet's artistic talent emerged at an early age. By the tender age of 15, he secured admission to the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in France, embarking on a formal journey of artistic education. At the early age of 20, he unveiled his maiden solo exhibition, a watershed moment accompanied by the prestigious Prix de la Critique. The early chapters of Buffet's career saw unwavering support from the renowned art dealer Maurice Garnier, enabling the artist to traverse a broad spectrum of creative themes, from religious motifs to landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, all of which captured the collective imagination. The year 1946 marked the unveiling of Buffet's first self-portrait at the "Salon des Moins de Trente Ans" at the Paris Museum, igniting a prolific period marked by annual prominent solo exhibitions. By 1955, he had clinched the top prize from the esteemed magazine "Connaissance des arts" and secured a coveted spot among the ten most outstanding artists of the post-war era. At the age of 46, Buffet became the youngest painter to be inducted as an academician at the Académie des Beaux-Arts. 

Buffet's sailboat-themed oil paintings constitute a prominent pillar of his oeuvre, serving as a canvas for his emotionally charged artistic world. The Little Sailboat, accompanied by Maurice Garnier's personally signed certificate of authenticity, holds a distinguished place in his portfolio. Reflecting on the year 1982, a period marked by limited output, each work from this time frame radiates a heightened sense of preciousness. Among these treasures, The Little Sailboat emerged as a focal point in the "Buffet: Painting of 1982" exhibition held by the Maurice Gallery. It was strategically positioned on a prominent gallery wall, beckoning visitors with its depiction of the distant and the unknown, an embodiment of Buffet's propensity for embarking on uncharted journeys or grappling with the nostalgia that often finds no resting place.

Contrasting with the dynamism and sharpness of his earlier brushwork, The Little Sailboat exudes fragility and vulnerability, relying on a more restrained color palette. While it departs from the vibrant hues of his earlier works, even embracing cooler tones that include various shades of yellow, it subtly and naturally embraces a cooler aesthetic. The diminutive sailboat within the vast expanse, combined with the chilly color scheme, encapsulates Buffet's late-life sense of solitude, vulnerability, and introspection, all delicately veiled in an uncommon grace..

Buffet's artworks epitomize the defining characteristics of the post-war era, with his still-life paintings evoking a sense of austerity, his portrayal of dusky Parisian landscapes, and his haunting character portraits. Executed with his signature black lines and a limited grayscale palette, these works serve as a poignant reflection of the French existentialist philosophy that prevailed in the mid-20th century, as championed by Jean-Paul Sartre. In stark contrast to the prevailing abstract expressionism of the time, Buffet chose to express his emotions and thoughts through figurative art. In the late 1950s, Buffet embarked on a journey of depicting clowns, marked by their black-and-white makeup reminiscent of Harlequin symbolism. These paintings accentuated the eternal interplay of light and shadow, joy and sorrow in human existence. His works resonated deeply with the public, particularly in the aftermath of World War II.

Despite his success, Bernard Buffet faced criticism and rejection from French art critics and his contemporaries. His meteoric rise to fame, his disconcerting style, his unwavering stance against abstract art, and his opulent lifestyle all fueled feelings of envy and exclusion. However, on the international art stage, especially in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan, Buffet's work began to earn recognition and appreciation. The renowned artist Francis Bacon openly acknowledged the profound impact of Buffet's nudes and erotic paintings, while the Pop Art maestro Andy Warhol asserted in an interview that Bernard Buffet was the most significant French contemporary artist. In 1973, the Bernard Buffet Museum was founded in Japan by collector Kiichiro Okano, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the remarkable body of work crafted by this distinguished French painter.

As Benedetto Croce once succinctly put it, "What is art - I would like to say immediately in the simplest way: 'Art is illusion or intuition.' The artist conjures an image or illusion, and the connoisseur focuses his gaze on the point indicated by the artist, peering inward through the rift the artist has opened, and recreating this image within himself." Buffet's sailboat-themed artworks transcend mere canvases; they embody a profound perspective on life, a poignant interpretation of the zeitgeist, and an existentialist aesthetic, profoundly shaping the development of contemporary artists. Bernard Buffet's sailboat-themed works have not only graced the art world but have also left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who have had the privilege of experiencing his unique artistic journey.

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