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Bernard Buffet (1928-1999)

Bernard Buffet was a French expressionist painter, born in Paris in 1928. Buffet is known for his figurative, graphic paintings, as well as his bold rejection of abstract art.

Buffet studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris and later worked in the studio of the painter Eugène Narbonne. In 1946, Buffet made his debut with his first exhibition, which consisted of a self-portrait, at the Salon des moins de Trente Ans at Galerie Beaux-Arts. He achieved early public success with his dystopian and darkly figurative paintings, many of which revolved around ideas of art history, death, sexuality, popular culture, and politics. Often, his works referenced contemporary events and artists. His style stood in contrast to the growing dominance of abstraction in the art world, as Buffet was a member of the anti-abstract group L'homme Témoin, or the Witness-Man, which passionately argued for the importance of representational art. Following his debut, he held annual exhibitions, and in 1955, he was awarded the first prize by the magazine Connaissance des Arts which ranked the top ten post-war artists. In 1958, the first retrospective exhibition of his works was held at Galerie Charpentier.

Buffet had a prolific career, painting over 8,000 works, which earned him widespread popularity and recognition, including dozens of international exhibitions and honors such as being inducted into the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1974.

Selection of previously sold at Bukowskis Live Auctions
638. Bernard Buffet, "Le poissonnier".
638. Bernard Buffet, "Le poissonnier".
Hammer price 
2 650 000 SEK
Estimate
1 200 000 - 1 500 000 SEK
735. Bernard Buffet, "Dahlias".
735. Bernard Buffet, "Dahlias".
Hammer price 
1 600 000 SEK
Estimate
800 000 - 1 000 000 SEK
643. Bernard Buffet, "Le poissonnier".
643. Bernard Buffet, "Le poissonnier".
Hammer price 
1 200 000 SEK
Estimate
1 200 000 - 1 500 000 SEK
372. Bernard Buffet, Bouquet de fleurs.
372. Bernard Buffet, Bouquet de fleurs.
Hammer price 
700 000 SEK
Estimate
1 000 000 - 1 200 000 SEK
341. Bernard Buffet, Matador.
341. Bernard Buffet, Matador.
Hammer price 
620 000 SEK
Estimate
350 000 - 400 000 SEK
215. Bernard Buffet, Nature morte.
215. Bernard Buffet, Nature morte.
Hammer price 
400 000 SEK
Estimate
400 000 - 600 000 SEK
229. Bernard Buffet, "Empire State Building".
229. Bernard Buffet, "Empire State Building".
Hammer price 
12 500 SEK
Estimate
10 000 - 15 000 SEK
Selection of previously sold at Bukowskis Online only auctions
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