Bernard Buffet, gouache on paper

Updated October 28, 2026

Title: Harlequin Violinist in a Red Bicorne Hat Technique: Gouache on paper Measures: 13 x 12 inches (33.0 x 30.5 cm) Year: Undated Condition: Appears in generally good visual condition based on the photographs supplied, with clear, saturated coloration and crisp black linework, including fine incised-looking hatching across the background and floor. No significant losses, tears, or creases are apparent in the available images. Minor surface irregularities, light handling marks, and age-related wear may be present. Presented in a bronze-toned frame with a brushed finish and a twisted rope-pattern inner molding, showing minor surface wear. Not examined out of the frame. Condition is described from the photographs supplied. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description. Provenance: Private collection, Tokyo; private acquisition, Paris Visual Description: A melancholy figure of a harlequin playing the violin stands at left of center in this vertical composition, set against a sparse interior with a gray-green wall and a wooden plank floor. The elongated, angular figure wears a red bicorne hat, a white collar and cuffs, and a costume patterned with diamonds in vermilion, scarlet, and deep crimson, outlined in black. His long, pale face, with downturned eyes and a narrow mouth, tilts slightly toward the instrument resting under his chin. A warm reddish-brown violin extends toward the right, held by a long-fingered hand at the scroll, while the other hand draws a slender bow diagonally across the strings. On the wall at upper right hangs a framed picture suspended from a nail, showing a small gray landscape with a cross on a hill. The background is animated by loose washes of slate blue, sage, and olive overlaid with spiky, scratch-like black strokes, and the floor is laid in warm brown planks. The attenuated figure, the sharp graphic contours, the restrained palette, and the somber, introspective mood reflect the visual language of post-war French Expressionist figuration. Within the framed picture at upper right, a painted inscription reads "Bernard Buffet." This composition reflects stylistic elements commonly associated with major figures in modern and contemporary art. For additional information regarding certification, provenance, or any inquiries about this piece or other items, please don't hesitate to contact us through the HiBid platform. A secondary market exists for uncatalogued artworks like this one, which often results in lower estimated and sale prices compared to catalogued artist works. If you have any specific questions or require further assistance in understanding the value, context, or details of this artwork, we are here to help and provide any additional information you may need.

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