Original lithograph in 8 colors,

signed in pencil lower right

Edition: EA I/XXX

literature: CR II, p. 102, n°398
Ryoan-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Rinzai Zen school, located at the foot of the Kinugasa-yama mountain, along the Kinukake-no-michi road northwest of Kyoto. It is famous for its rock garden, which dates back to the second half of the 1994th century. The latter has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since XNUMX and has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Bernard Buffet, a major figurative artist of the 20th century, maintains a special connection with Japan, a country that has had a significant influence on his work. His fascination with Japanese culture dates back to his youth and has manifested itself through various aspects of his art.

In the 1950s, Buffet discovered Japanese prints, particularly the works of artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige. These prints, with their characteristic aesthetic and meticulous depiction of everyday life, had a profound impact on the French artist. He was particularly taken by the use of lines and recurring motifs in Japanese art, elements that he would later incorporate into his own compositions.

The Japanese influence on Buffet is also perceptible in his treatment of space and perspective. As in Japanese prints, he often favors a plan view, eliminating all depth to concentrate on the surface of the canvas. This approach gives his works an almost abstract dimension, where geometric shapes and sharp contours dominate.

Buffet was also drawn to Zen philosophy and the elegant simplicity that it entailed. This influence is reflected in his often restrained color palette and pared-down compositions. In his still lifes in particular, he seeks to capture the essence of objects in a minimalist manner, in the manner of Japanese artists.

Dimensions: 58 x 76 cm excluding frame
Print run: Numbered work limited to 30 copies
Signature: Hand signed work
Authentication: Sold with gallery certificate of authenticity and gallery invoice