Exposition de dessins 1960

In 1960, Jean Dubuffet, a pioneer of the post-war art movement known as Art Brut, designed a striking exhibition poster for Exposition de Dessins at Galerie Berggruen in Paris. The exhibition coincided with the release of Daniel Cordier’s book on Dubuffet’s drawings, marking an important moment in the artist’s career. This original poster stands as a compelling reflection of Dubuffet's unique artistic vision, as well as a significant artifact of 20th-century modern art.

The poster’s design, rendered in bold, expressive black ink on a cream-colored background, is instantly recognizable for its raw, untamed energy—a hallmark of Dubuffet’s style. It features a highly abstracted, cartoonish figure sketched in thick lines, a common motif in Dubuffet’s work, which often rejected traditional aesthetics in favor of a more primal, unrefined approach. The figure appears almost sculptural, its contours giving it a sense of both weight and fluidity, while the rough cross-hatching and loose, almost childlike drawing style break with the conventions of academic art.

Handwritten text, integrated seamlessly into the visual composition, announces the details of the exhibition: "Pour illustrer la publication du livre de Daniel Cordier sur les dessins de Jean Dubuffet une exposition de ces dessins se tient à la Galerie Berggruen 40 rue de l’Université du 21 octobre au 12 novembre 1960." This integration of text and image reflects Dubuffet's fascination with the directness and spontaneity of outsider art and non-professional creators—those working outside the boundaries of mainstream art institutions.

Galerie Berggruen, a prestigious art gallery located in Paris, played a key role in showcasing modern masters such as Picasso, Klee, and Giacometti. By exhibiting Dubuffet’s drawings in this venue, the gallery underscored the growing recognition of Dubuffet’s work within the broader context of modern art. This exhibition allowed viewers to engage directly with Dubuffet's raw, emotionally charged approach to drawing, which was often compared to the art of children or the mentally ill—groups from which Dubuffet drew inspiration in his concept of Art Brut.

The poster itself has since become a collector’s item, not only for its bold design but for its significance in the trajectory of Dubuffet’s career and the larger Art Brut movement. This poster is emblematic of Dubuffet’s mission to dismantle established hierarchies within the art world and to challenge the viewer’s understanding of beauty and artistic skill.

Today, this 1960 exhibition poster is seen as more than just a promotional tool—it is a piece of art history, encapsulating the revolutionary spirit of Jean Dubuffet’s work. It serves as a reminder of his influence in shaping modern art’s departure from tradition and his enduring legacy in challenging the boundaries between “high” art and the creativity of the untrained or marginalized. As both a visual statement and a historical artifact, Dubuffet’s Exposition de Dessins poster remains a testament to the radical and raw energy that characterized one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Original Poster

Exhibition - Art Brut - Modernism

Galerie Berggruen

Jacomet Paris

Good condition, folds