ALAIN    BONNEFOIT  

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I love working lengthwise and widthwise.  I love ample, generous, dashing movements.  One should always avoid blocked, stunted, inhibited, breathless gestures.  As in martial arts, the quality of breathing is essential for achievement.  I would say that it is necessary to dominate not only the drawing, but also the matter that serves as support.  This technique is physical and sensual.  The strokes on the paper must necessarily be powerful, determined, instinctive.

--Alain Bonnefoit

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The sensuality of the female nude, the same sensuality found in the landscapes of France and Italy when viewed en plein air, is found throughout Bonnefoit’s work.  He searches for and finds the sublime beauty of the body, expressed in simple yet sophisticated form, while capturing lightness and dimension through positive and negative color-relief compositions.  A woman’s essence, a creation of nature so essential, powerful and free, is painted in Bonnefoit’s masterful style.  His love of the landscape and female sensuality continues to inspire moments of highest bliss.

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The land has the rhythm and the sweetness I find back when I am painting a bare woman...I can breathe what I put on the canvas.

--Alain Bonnefoit

 ALAIN BONNEFOIT was born in Paris on May 18, 1937.

STUDIES:

1953-1955: Ecole des Arts Appliques, Paris

1956-1957: Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris

1959-1960: Ecole des Beaux Arts, Bruxelles

1961-1962: Ecole des Arts Appliques, Paris: Studied with the sculptor, Volti

PRINCIPALES EXPOSITIONS EN FRANCE:

1968: Maison Van Gogh, Auvers sur Oise

1969-1972: Galerie d’Art Matignon, Paris

1974: Galerie du Moulin de Vauboyen, Bievres

1975: Galerie d’Art de la Place Beauvau,Paris

1978-1981: Galerie d’Art de la Place Beauvau, Paris

1985-1989: Galerie St. Pierre le Jeune, Strasbourg

                   Galerie du Capricorne, Reims

1987: Galerie Triade, Barbizon

1988: Chateau du Croc, Orleans

         Hotel Chemellier,Angers - Volti – Bonnefoit

1991: Hotel Lutetia, Paris

         Hotel de la Monnaie, Paris

        Galerie Albert 1^st , Paris

1992: Galerie Robin Leadouze, Cannes

1993: Galerie Robin Leadouze, Paris

1995: Chapelle des Jesuites, Chaumont

1996: Chateau Vascueil – Reptrospective

          Galerie St. Hubert, Presqu’lle,Lyon

1997: Galerie Laetitia Brie Comte Robert

         Galerie Ami des lettres Bordeaux

         Art World Gallery, Cannes

        Galerie du Chateau, Auray

1998: Galerie Portal , St Jean de Luz

         Junko Koshino Boutique, Paris

        Galerie de l’Estuaire, Le Havre

        Galerie Raugraff, Nancy

1999: Mairie  du XI,  Paris

         Galerie Leadouze, Paris

2000: Galerie l’Ami des Lettres, Bordeaux

          Credit Mutuel de Bretagne, Brest

          Galerie Saint Hubert, Lyon

          Espace Champagne PALMER Reims: Orient/Occident, 4 Painters

2001: Galerie Raugraff,  Nancy

          Credit Mutuel de Bretagne, “Orient-Occident” Brest

2002: Galerie Alfa-C. Lemonnier, Le Havre

            Galerie Portal, Saint Jean de Luz

            Galerie Art Comparaison, Paris

            Galerie Veronese, Nantes

PRINCIPAL EXPOSITIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES:

UNITED STATES:

CHETKIN GALLERY, RED BANK, NEW JERSEY: 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005

New York: Art Expo: 1987, 1988

Los Angeles Art Expo: 1993

ITALIE:

Florence: Galerie de l’Arno, 1967, 1976

Pisa: Galerie Macchi, 1968, 1971, 1974

Venise: Galerie Albano, 1971

Sienne: Galerie Nuova Aminta, 1972

              Art Gallery Biale & Cerruti  2002

Milan: Art Cantini, 1973

Rome: Art Expo,1990

            Galleria Ca D’Oro  2002

Florence: Galerie Tornabuono, 1992, 1994, 1998

Retrospective Certaldo – Palazzio Prettorio, 1996

Certaldo – Orient – Occident: 4 Painters  2000

Naples, Casina Pompeiana, 2001

Pietrasanta: Chiesa di Sant’Agostino, 2001

                     Galleria Tornabouoni, 2001

GRAND DUCHE DU LUXEMBOURG:

Galerie Engel, Ministere de Grand Duche, 1994

Galerie Art et Passion, Esch sur Alzette, 1994, 1997

Wagner et Schortgen Fine Arts, Luxenbourg, 1998

BELGIQUE:

Bruxelles, Galerie Horizon, 1994, 1997

SUISSE:

Lausanne, Galerie d’Etraz, 1990

Martigny, Galerie la Tour, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995

Genolier Nyon, Au Temps Qui Passe, 1998

JAPON:

Tokyo: Art Expo: 1990, 1992

Kyoto: Musee Damaru, 1994

Tokyo Gas Urban - Tokyo: 2000

Tokyo Gas Urban – Tokyo: 2001, Orient/Occident, 4 Painters

Tokyo, Park Tower Gallery  2001

TAHITI:

Musee Gauguin, 1987

Mairie de Papeete, 1992, 1997

KOREA:

Galerie Indeco Seoul, 1997, 1998

Shinsegae Gallery Kwangju, 1997

Sun Gallery Seoul, 2000

Musee Art Moderne Kwangju, 2001

Seoul,  My Art Gallery, 2002

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