Bernard BUFFET (1928-1999), "Les Iris" (Irises)

Color lithograph, on Arches Vellum paper, dimensions: 22 x 17 cm clear passe-partout, 37.5 x 32.5 cm framed passe-partout, edition limited to 800 ex, published by the famous Parisian publisher Fernand Mourlot.


Bernard Buffet was one of the most famous and respected French artists of the 20th century. His distinctive style, recognizable all over the world, earned him immense popularity. He was a versatile artist, creating oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints and theatrical sets.
His work is characterized by: expressive lines-Buffet used strong, black contour lines, which gave his works an austere appearance, devoid of ornamentation; sparing use of color:-his color palette was usually limited, often dominated by grays, browns and dark greens, which heightened the melancholy mood of the paintings; and his subject matter-Buffet often depicted existential motifs, he was known for frequently painting still lifes, and the motif of bread and wine appeared repeatedly in his work, reflecting his fascination with these simple but symbolic objects. Buffet used ink and watercolor, which allowed him to achieve a distinctive, sketchy effect.
In the 1950s, when this painting was created, Buffet was already an established artist, but his style was controversial. His works were perceived as anti-modern, reflecting his opposition to the dominant abstract trends in art at the time.
Bernard Buffet's works, including lithographs from his "Nature Morte" series, are prized by collectors around the world. His works can be found in many museums and galleries, as well as in private collections.