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Painting
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Desire beyond the norms
Bernard Buffet enjoyed subverting the traditional norms of nude painting. He abandoned the idealisation of bodies in favour of a realism infused with humour and, at times, provocation. Yet, he also knew how to convey tenderness, particularly in his depictions of Annabel.
Bernard Buffet’s nudes are marked by an ambivalence in both their subjects and scenes, as well as the reactions they provoke. Are they intended to attract or repel us? This ambiguity mirrors the complexity of human desire, which is rarely absolute or constant.
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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