Composition

Description

'Composition' by Bissière, dating from 1955, is composed of many smaller and larger fields of colour, with thin lines painted over them in black and white paint. In the lower part of the painting the lines form an irregular pattern of diamonds. There is a horizontal band halfway up and the lines above this are mainly vertical, of different lengths and ending before the edge of the canvas.The white and bright colours are points of light between the dark colours dominating the painting.

Bissière believed in intuition as a guideline in his work and shared this view with many artists just after the Second World War. They endeavoured to create art in which emotion had a central place; art which was not created by means of a system of rules, and art which was therefore difficult to explain. These artists were mainly inspired by natural phenomena.

In 1958 Bissière wrote: “When I start on a painting I never know where it will lead me, to happiness or to despair.” He also said: “My paintings don’t want to prove anything. They don’t want to say anything either, they are the only way in which I can represent emotions which cannot be expressed in any other way.” “I do not ask for admiration, just for a bit of sympathy.” Because of the rhythmic pattern of lines and fields of colour, 'Composition' is a vibrant painting. It does not represent anything identifiable, but evokes associations with growth and movement. At the same time it has a structural, almost architectural character because of the pattern of lines. Bissière created his compositions intuitively but very carefully, using the natural processes of growth as a model.

Does this page contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.