Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) was one of the most radical and influential artists of the 20th century, redefining what art could be and who it was for. Rejecting academic tradition and polished aesthetics, Dubuffet sought inspiration in the raw, the instinctive, and the unconventional. His work spans painting, drawing, sculpture, and architecture, characterised by bold lines, dense textures, and an expressive visual language that challenged established hierarchies of taste. Central to his practice was the belief that creativity should be free from cultural conditioning, a philosophy that led him to champion works created outside the traditional art world.
Dubuffet is best known as the founder of Art Brut, a term he coined to describe art made by self-taught individuals, including psychiatric patients, prisoners, and social outsiders. This concept profoundly reshaped modern and contemporary art, influencing generations of artists and curators. His own artistic evolution culminated in the iconic L'Hourloupe cycle, with its interlocking forms and limited palette, later expanding into monumental sculptures and immersive environments. Today, Dubuffet's work is held in major museum collections worldwide, and his legacy continues to resonate as a powerful assertion of artistic freedom, individuality, and creative authenticity.
