Dates
Painting
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Other techniques
Desire beyond the norms
Bernard Buffet enjoyed subverting the traditional norms of nude painting. He abandoned the idealisation of bodies in favour of a form of realism tinged with humour, even provocation. However, he also knew how to show tenderness, particularly when depicting Annabel.
Bernard Buffet’s nudes are characterised by an ambivalence in their subjects, scenes, and the reactions they provoke. Are they meant to attract or repel us? This ambiguity reflects the complexity of human desire, which is rarely absolute or unchanging.
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Deux hommes nus, 1947, 159 x 195 cm
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Femme se coiffant, 1949, 92 x 65 cm
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Annabel couchée, 1959, 90 x 200 cm
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Paravent aux nus, 1960, 178 x 47.5 x 4 cm
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Deux Femmes, 1965, 197 x 218 cm
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Nus: couple, 1979, 208 x 219 cm
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Nu Maquillé, 1990, 146 x 114 cm
Deux hommes nus, 1947, 159 x 195 cm
Femme se coiffant, 1949, 92 x 65 cm
Annabel couchée, 1959, 90 x 200 cm
Paravent aux nus, 1960, 178 x 47.5 x 4 cm
Deux Femmes, 1965, 197 x 218 cm
Nus: couple, 1979, 208 x 219 cm
Nu Maquillé, 1990, 146 x 114 cm