Bernard Buffet

 Bernard Buffet (10 July 1928 – 4 October 1999) was a renowned French painter, printmaker, and sculptor known for his prolific output and figurative style, often classified as Expressionist or "miserabilist." Buffet achieved global fame in the 1950s, drawing comparisons to Pablo Picasso. Despite his early popularity, changing artistic tastes and his extravagant lifestyle led to a decline in his reputation by the end of the decade. However, the 21st century saw a resurgence of interest in his work.

Admitted to the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts at the age of 15, Buffet had his first solo exhibition in Paris in 1947. At 20, he was awarded the Prix de la Critique in 1948. His career included numerous international exhibitions and honors, such as induction into the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1974.

Buffet's work is held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Centre Georges Pompidou, The National Museum of Modern Art in Paris, the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, and the Tate Gallery in London. Additionally, a museum in Japan is dedicated to his oeuvre. Bernard Buffet passed away in 1999 in Tourtour, France, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson's disease.