A new Bernard Buffet biography is a smorgasbord of art history fun and frolics
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Whatever your opinion of the work of the prolific French expressionist Bernard Buffet, it’s not hard to be seduced by the premise of Nick Foulkes’ new biography, Bernard Buffet: The Invention of the Modern Mega-Artist. Foulkes suggests that Buffet, who died in 1999, blazed a trail as one of the first modern media artists. Yet although Buffet was happy to be feted by the media, associated with celebrities and garlanded with praise and money, his celebrity status turned sour. Despite – or perhaps because of – the global appeal of his work in prints and posters – the artist’s reputation dipped precipitously in his own lifetime until he was practically persona non grata in the French scene.
Whereas his arch-rival Picasso could effortlessly segue between high and low art, with volume prints and highly sought-after originals, Buffet’s work was somehow denigrated by its transposition from gallery wall to suburban living room. The subject matter didn’t help either – mournful clowns and spiky still lives, or familiar cityscapes and faintly twee animals, all rendered in his trademark spidery black line with flat colour and minimal stylistic evolution. His prolific output – around 8,000 paintings – was another dagger in the heart of authenticity, and Buffet’s status as one of France’s ‘fabulous five’, alongside director Roger Vadim, fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, author Françoise Sagan and actress Brigitte Bardot, further served to detach him from the critics.
As a result, works hailed as bold and daring at the start of his career were soon dismissed by critics as trite and sentimental. Buffet even described himself, stoically and stubbornly, as a ‘little detached suburban villa in the middle of modern painting’.
He became a lonely figure, doggedly ploughing his furrow and eventually taking his life when, struggling with disease, he could no longer paint. Inevitably, Buffet’s work is being reappraised by today’s market, as a new generation of collectors emerge, hungry for work with a provenance and a signature style. Foulkes explores Buffet’s changing milieu as an artist at the cradle of the media age, and offers a cautionary tale for artists who find themselves swept and up then discarded by a fickle media.
Though feted for many years, the artist’s reputation dipped precipitously in his own lifetime until he was practically persona non grata in the French scene. Pictured: Buffet with friends.
Foulkes suggests that Buffet, who died in 1999, blazed a trail as one of the first modern media artists. Pictured: the Buffets at Chateau l'Arc, near Aix-en-Provence – his main residence until 1964.
Buffet’s work was somehow denigrated by its transposition from gallery wall to suburban living room. Pictured: Buffet surrounded by work in the chateau.
Buffet described himself, stoically and stubbornly, as a ‘little detached suburban villa in the middle of modern painting’.
Buffet’s work is being reappraised by today’s market, as a new generation of collectors emerge, hungry for work with a provenance and a signature style. Pictured: Dior boutiqe.
Buffet and a selection of 'autoportraits'.
Buffet (second right) with (from left) painter and sculptor Albert Ayme, singer Guy Béart, and dancers Zizi Jeanmaire and Roland Petit.
Buffet is known to be one of France’s ‘fabulous five’, alongside director Roger Vadim, fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent (pictured here with Buffet), author Françoise Sagan and actress Brigitte Bardot.
Foulkes explores Buffet’s changing milieu as an artist at the cradle of the media age. Pictured: Rendezvous with Bernard Buffet.
Foulkes offers a cautionary tale for artists who find themselves swept up then discarded by a fickle media.
INFORMATION
Bernard Buffet: The Invention of the Modern Mega-Artist, by Nicholas Foulkes £25, published by Preface Books. For more information, visit the publisher’s website (opens in new tab)
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Glenmorangie unveils a whisky inspired by rugged Scottish forests
Glenmorangie’s A Tale of the Forest uses an ancient Highland method for drying barley to create a distinctive taste
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
Odile Mir: exploring the creative life of a self-taught polymath
Nonagenarian French artist Odile Mir is back for an encore, thanks to her granddaughter’s role in reissuing her modernist designs
By Amy Serafin • Published
-
Samuel Ross on the architectural influences and optimistic ethos behind his Acqua di Parma collaboration
Samuel Ross discusses the inspiration behind his redesign of Acqua di Parma’s iconic Colonia fragrance
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
Photo book explores the messy, magical mundanity of new motherhood
‘Sorry I Gave Birth I Disappeared But Now I’m Back’ by photographer Andi Galdi Vinko explores new motherhood in all its messy, beautiful reality
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Best contemporary art books: a guide for 2023
From maverick memoirs to topical tomes, turn over a new leaf with the Wallpaper* arts desk’s pick of new releases and all-time favourite art books
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
The best photography books for your coffee table
Flick through, mull over and deep-dive into the best photography books on the market, from our shelves to you
By Sophie Gladstone • Published
-
Behind the scenes of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining: new book charts the making of a horror icon
Published in February 2023 by Taschen, a new collector's book will go behind the scenes of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, charting the unseen making of a film that defined the horror genre
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Brad Walls’ aerial view transforms pools into artwork
Aerial photographer Brad Walls provides a crisp conclusion to the summer months with new book Pools From Above – you’ll want to dive right in
By Martha Elliott • Last updated
-
K-style: understanding the rise of Korea’s creative golden age
Spanning music, fashion, design and food, a new book, Make Break Remix explores the global rise and rise of Korean culture
By SuhYoung Yun • Last updated
-
‘Punk ballerina’ Karole Armitage debuts a genre-bending show in New York
Karole Armitage, the choreographer behind Madonna’s Vogue video and Marc Jacobs’ A/W 2021 show, debuts A Pandemic Notebook at New York Live Arts
By Mary Cleary • Last updated
-
Forty years of the Barbican Centre: an art utopia made concrete
Building Utopia: The Barbican Centre, published to coincide with the institution’s 40th anniversary, explores the birth of the Barbican, its storied history and its unparalleled impact on contemporary arts and culture
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Last updated