Jean Dubuffet

Date of Birth: July 31, 1901

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: May 12, 1985

Biography

Jean Dubuffet was a French painter and sculptor who is best known for founding the art movement known as Art Brut, or “raw art.” Born in Le Havre, France, Dubuffet initially pursued a conventional career in wine trading before dedicating himself fully to art in his early 40s. His works often featured unconventional materials such as tar, gravel, and scrap metal, reflecting his interest in non-traditional forms of beauty and creativity. Dubuffet’s philosophy emphasized the value of art created outside the boundaries of official culture, particularly by children, psychiatric patients, and marginalized individuals. His work has had a lasting influence on contemporary art and is celebrated for its raw, unrefined aesthetic.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean Dubuffet

1. Jean Dubuffet coined the term “Art Brut” to describe art created outside the confines of academic tradition.

2. He initially studied art at the Académie Julian in Paris but abandoned his studies to return to Le Havre.

3. Dubuffet’s first solo exhibition was held in Paris in 1944 and was met with both acclaim and controversy due to his unconventional style.

4. He was deeply influenced by the works of psychiatric patients and collected numerous pieces of their art, which he compiled into what is now known as the Collection de l’Art Brut.

5. Dubuffet designed the iconic “Clôture” mural for the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre metro station in Paris.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Dubuffet

1. “Art should be born from the materials and speak of the human spirit.”

2. “For me, insanity is super sanity. The normal is psychotic. Normal means lack of imagination, lack of creativity.”

3. “Art is a language, an instrument of knowledge, an instrument of communication.”

4. “What interests me in the human body is not the perfection of its forms, but the traces of life it bears.”

5. “I would like to see the art world turned on its head, with the so-called outsiders becoming the insiders.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jean Dubuffet’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but his works have fetched millions at auction, indicating a significant value attributed to his artistic legacy.