Rebeyrolle

This book dedicated to Paul Rebeyrolle (1926–2005), one of the most prominent French painters of his generation, aims at presenting the works created in his early years within Jeune Peinture – during the time spent in his studio on the premises of La Ruche in Paris. Over the course of this relatively short yet busy period, between 1946 and 1958, emerged the beginnings of works that entailed an intense and inventive exploration of colours and materials.
At the end of World War II, Paul Rebeyrolle (along with Bernard Buffet, Simone Dat, Bernard Lorjou, André Minaux and Michel Thompson within the group known as L’Homme témoin and its Manifesto) replaced man and figuration at the centre of his painting while revisiting classic themes – still life, portraits, landscapes, etc. – and relied upon a palette that selected muted and more earthy shades.
This lesser known element of his work allows us to rediscover the artist throughout his training and creative years; it is also the purpose of the exhibition, including some works by Courbet and other artists that echo Paul Rebeyrolle’s uncompromising pictorial realism. Naturalist paintings, which have also been featured, perpetuate Rebeyrolle’s commitment towards representing the living in its most daring forms.

Saint-Claude, Musée de l’Abbaye, June - November 2016