Jean René Bazaine: A Journey Through Abstract Art

Jean René Bazaine was born on December 21, 1904, in Paris. Bazaine pursued studies in philosophy and literature at the Sorbonne, and briefly attended the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts. He also later visited the Académie Julian, where he studied sculpture.

In 1930, his paintings were first exhibited in a group exhibition in Paris. Two years later, at his first solo exhibition at Galerie Van Leer, he met Pierre Bonnard. This renowned artist provided him with valuable advice and encouragement to continue painting.

Bazaine’s abstract paintings reveal a profound connection with nature. In addition to paintings, Jean Bazaine also designed numerous stained-glass windows for churches in France. The Saint-Séverin in Paris and the church of Assy are prime examples. He spent five years creating the seven stained-glass windows along the ambulatory of the Saint-Séverin.

In 1958, Bazaine gained fame for creating mosaics for the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris. He also designed decorations for the Cluny-La Sorbonne metro station in Paris, incorporating the signatures of hundreds of writers and philosophers into the design. Jean Bazaine also published several books on art and wrote about his work.

The work of Jean Bazaine was showcased at numerous foreign exhibitions. His work was first seen in 1946 at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. It was also displayed multiple times at the Venice Biennale, and he was invited three times to participate in Documenta exhibitions in Kassel. Bazaine was awarded the Grand Prix national des Arts in 1964, and in 1980, he was named Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres.

www.ftn-books.com has several Bazaine titles available.

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