Bernard Buffet, Church Under The Snow, 1976 (original Painting)

Bernard BUFFET (Paris 1928-Tourtour1999) The church under the snow, 1976 Mixed media on paper 50 x 65 cm Signed in the top center Bernard Buffet and dated on the right 1976 Bears on the back of the mounting box the autograph dedication "For Madeleine and Maurice Druon year 1977 Bernard with a pierced heart" A certificate from the Maurice Garnier gallery will be given to the buyer.

This painting was created a year before the artist painted the Notre-Dame Church. Bernard Buffet, an eminent figure in 20th century figurative art, explored various themes through his work, including representations of churches. His fascination with religious architecture shines through in his paintings, where he conveys with striking precision the majesty and solemnity of sacred buildings. In the 1950s, Buffet began painting churches, adopting his distinctive style marked by angular lines and an often dark color palette. One of his first major works in this area is "Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés" (1954), where he captures the monumentality of Gothic architecture with heartbreaking sobriety. Buffet was attracted by the austerity and grandeur of churches, but also by their religious symbolism. In his paintings, he instills an atmosphere of mystery and contemplation, often accentuated by the play of light and shadow. His “Church Interior” (1958) is a striking example of his ability to create an enigmatic ambiance through sacred architecture. The 1960s marked a period of intensification of his exploration of this subject. In 1963, he created "The Church of Pont-Aven", where he captured the very essence of Brittany through the prism of religious architecture. This painting demonstrates his interest in places steeped in history and spirituality.
However, despite his artistic success, Buffet was sometimes criticized for his style considered too rigid and austere. Some observers felt that his depictions of churches lacked warmth and spirituality. Nevertheless, others praised its ability to transcend material reality to reach a deeper dimension of human experience. In the years that followed, Buffet continued to explore the theme of churches, notably in works such as "Notre-Dame de Paris" (1977), where he paid homage to one of the capital's most iconic monuments French. His fascination with these sacred buildings would endure throughout his career, testifying to his commitment to exploring the spiritual aspects of human existence. Beyond his distinctive style and personal vision, Bernard Buffet's church paintings continue to fascinate and inspire, inviting viewers to meditate on the transcendence and timeless beauty of sacred architecture.