For the past twenty years, abstraction, an artistic movement born in the 20th century, has no longer been the absolute must of contemporary art. The figuration, in the sense of representation of the visible, met success again. You just have to frequent salons like Art Paris or Art Basel to be convinced. Galleries have an increasing number of artists that can be – more or less directly – attach to figuration. And buyers are present, some of which are very well known, such as François Pinault, who exhibits on the Trade of Commerce, in Paris, the Palazzo Grassi or the Punta della Dogana, in Venice, the figurative artists of his important collection. Despite this fervor of the rich collectors, the prices, on the whole, are not soaring. It is therefore still possible to take an interest in this movement without breaking the bank.
Imagine rather than reproducing
Figuration does not mean exact reproduction of reality, because we then speak, in the field of art, of hyperrealism. In fact, the artist simplifies, schematizes, complicates and imagines the real. It can create a new image, distort it, stylize it, superimpose several realities, recompose colors and perspectives. But, in all cases, the result is an identifiable image. As part of the Art Paris show, which will be held at the Grand Palais from April 3 to 6, the guest commissioners, Amélie Adamo and Numa Hambursin, try to define figurative painting and, to illustrate their remarks, selected 30 artists who will be presented by the galleries participating in this event.
In very different expressive styles, we can cite the creations of Jean-Charles Blais and his paintings on torn posters, Robert Combas and his canvases with detonating colors, Johanna Mirabel and her intimate interior scenes or Françoise Pétrovitch and her aesthetic of fascinating and disturbing fairy tales. Claire Tabouret, adored by François Pinault, or Edi Dubien, whose poetic works mixing animals and children are exhibited at the Hunting Museum, in Paris, until May 4, are also the subject of a strong enthusiasm. As well as some very old artists, such as André Brasililier, known for his paintings of wild horses and presented until April 16 by Opera Gallery. Or other deceased, such as Gérard Schlosser or Jean Hélion, who has recently been the subject of a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris.
The collectors being more and more numerous, the prices are on the rise. This is how in 2021 the very large canvas of Claire Tabouret The Last Day, Representative of costumed children, was sold by Christie’s London 622,500 pounds, while it was estimated from 150,000 to 200,000 pounds. This artist’s rating is exponential and her works easily exchange at more than 100,000 euros. In the absence of such a budget, it remains possible to acquire some of its drawings for 10,000 to 20,000 euros.
Prints at less than 500 euros
Fortunately, the other figurative artists, even requested, are cheaper. For between 30,000 and 100,000 euros, you can acquire beautiful canvases of André Arms whose rich Asian clientele is particularly fond of. Jean Hélion’s oils won at auction between 8,000 and 60,000 euros, some of them that can exceed 100,000 euros. Ink ink on paper from Françoise Pétrovitch are negotiated between 4,000 and 5,000 euros. The watercolors of EDI Dubien sells 2,000 to 5,000 euros and its prints published in 33 copies are offered at 480 euros.
But the amateur has every interest in “plowing unclear fields”, in other words to prospect the galleries with young little -known artists. The modes of expression, as well as the supports, are diverse, from the classic oil on canvas to the drawings, passing by sculpture, ceramics, photo or tapestry. The offer is therefore important and it is possible to invest for less than 3,000 euros. Obviously, you have no assurance that the artist will become famous, and expensive. But you will have at least the pleasure of living with a beautiful work.