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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 on May 18, 1937 in Montmartre, Paris, France. He is one of the most respected and most highly awarded artists in France and in the world. The writer, Herve Bazin, has referred to Bonnefoit as the “Painter of Venus”. Alain Bonnefoit’s works are very much in demand because of his International Status as an artist. His genius and success has earned him the respect of collectors worldwide.
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
MUSEUMS:
Tokyo, Bizen, Fujiwara Yu in Japan
Modern Art Museum of Kwan Ju Korea
Boccaccio Museum of Certaldo, Italy
Collections of the State of France and the city of Paris
PRINCIPALES EXPOSITIONS EN FRANCE:
Maison Van Gogh, Auvers sur Oise : 1968
Galerie d’Art Matignon, Paris : 1969-1972
Galerie du Moulin de Vauboyen, Bievres : 1974
Galerie d’Art de la Place Beauvau, Paris : 1975, 1978-1981
Galerie St. Pierre le Jeune, Strasbourg : 1985-1989
Galerie du Capricorne, Reims : 1985-1989
Galerie Triade, Barbizon : 1987
Château du Croc, Orléans : 1988
Hôtel Chemellier, Angers - Volti – Bonnefoit : 1988
Hôtel Lutetia, Paris : 1991
Hôtel de la Monnaie, Paris : 1991
Galerie Albert 1st, Paris : 1991
Galerie Robin Leadouze, Cannes : 1992
Galerie Robin Leadouze, Paris : 1993, 1999
Chapelle des Jésuites, Chaumont : 1995
Château Vascueil – Rétrospective : 1996
Galerie St. Hubert, Presqu’lle, Lyon : 1996
Galerie Laetitia Brie Comte Robert : 1997
Galerie Ami des lettres Bordeaux : 1997
Art World Gallery, Cannes: 1997
Galerie du Château, Auray : 1997, 2004
Galerie Portal, St Jean de Luz : 1998, 2002, 2005
Junko Koshino Boutique, Paris : 1998
Galerie de l’Estuaire, Le Havre : 1998
Galerie Raugraff, Nancy: 1998, 2001, 2004
Mairie du XI, Paris : 1999
Galerie l’Ami des Lettres, Bordeaux : 2000
Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne, Brest : 2000, “Orient-Occident” : 2001
Galerie Saint Hubert, Lyon : 2000, 2007
Espace Champagne Palmer Reims: Orient-Occident, 4 Painters: 2000
Galerie Alfa-C. Lemonnier, Le Havre : 2002
Galerie Art Comparaison, Paris : 2002
Galerie Véronèse, Nantes : 2002
De Corée en Champagne, Reims : 2003
Galerie Laetitia, Brie-Comte-Robert : 2003
Galerie Karin Carton, Versailles : 2003
Galerie Le Mas de Garance, Grillon : 2003
L’Artothèque, Granville : 2004
Galerie Gantois, Cannes : 2005
Galerie Alexandre Leadouze, Paris : 2006
PRINCIPAL EXPOSITIONS EN AUTRE COUNTRIES:
ETATS UNIS:
Red Bank, New Jersey: Chetkin Gallery 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
ITALIE:
Pisa: Galerie Macchi, 1968, 1971, 1974
Venezia: Galerie Albano, 1971
Sienne: Galerie Nuova Aminta, 1972
Art Gallery Biale & Cerruti, 2002
Milano: Art Cantini, 1973
Roma: Art Expo, 1990
Galleria Ca D’Oro, 2002
Firenze: Galerie Tornabuono, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2004
Galerie de l’Arno, 1967, 1976
Retrospective Certaldo – Palazzio Prettorio, 1996
Certaldo – Orient – Occident: 4 Painters, 2000
Museo Marino Marini, 2007
Napoli: Casina Pompeiana, 2001
Pietrasanta: Chiesa di Sant’Agostino, 2001
Galleria Tornabouoni, 2001, 2006
Prato: Galleria Armanda Gori, 2003
Livorno: Fondazione Trossi Uberti, 2004
Bologna: Nt art gallery, 2004
Matera: Santa Maria de Armenis, 2005
Lerici: Hotel Shelley e delle Palme
GRAND DUCHE DU LUXEMBOURG:
Galerie Engel, Ministère de Grand Duché, 1994
Galerie Art et Passion, Esch sur Alzette, 1994, 1997
Wagner et Schortgen Fine Arts, Luxembourg, 1998
BELGIQUE:
Bruxelles, Galerie Horizon, 1994, 1997
Anvers, BernArt Galerie, 2003
SUISSE:
Lausanne, Galerie d’Etraz, 1990
Martigny, Galerie la Tour, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995
Genolier Nyon, Au Temps Qui Passe, 1998
Montreux, La Galerie, 2004
JAPON:
Tokyo: Art Expo: 1990, 1992
Kyoto: Musée Damaru, 1994
Tokyo Gas Urban – Tokyo: 2000, 2001, Orient/Occident, 4 Painters
Tokyo, Park Tower Gallery 2001
TAHITI:
Musée Gauguin, 1987
Mairie de Papeete, 1992, 1997
COREE:
Galerie Indeco Seoul, 1997, 1998
Shinsegae Gallery Kwangju, 1997
Sun Gallery Seoul, 2000
Musée Art Moderne Kwangju, 2001
Seoul, My Art Gallery, 2002
DEUTSCHLAND:
Düsseldorf, Galerie FG Gonzen, 2003
ANGLETERRE:
London, La Galerie, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007