Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Camille Bryen Biography
Camille Bryen, born Camille Briand on September 17, 1907, in Nantes, France, was a multifaceted artist whose work spanned poetry, painting, and engraving. He is most notably associated with the School of Paris and is recognized for his contributions to the movements of lyrical abstraction and tachisme. Despite his significant influence on 20th-century art, Bryen remains a somewhat enigmatic figure, often described as the "best-known of the unknown."
Bryen's journey into the arts began in earnest when he moved to Paris around 1926. There, he immersed himself in the avant-garde circles of the time, living among and collaborating with Dadaists such as Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, Hans Arp, and Tristan Tzara. His early work was primarily in the realm of poetry, with his first collection, "Opopanax," published in 1927. This was followed by "Experiences" in 1932, which included poems, drawings, and collages, and marked his foray into automatic drawing—a technique that allowed the subconscious to guide the creation of art.
Bryen's artistic evolution continued as he participated in the 20th celebration of Dadaism at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1936 and signed the "Manifeste Dimensionniste" alongside Arp, Duchamp, and Picabia. This manifesto called for the integration of time and space into art, pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic dimensions.
By the late 1930s, Bryen had begun to explore tachisme, a style of painting characterized by splotches and drips of color, which he first exhibited at the Salon des Superindépendants. His work during this period was marked by a transition from figurative to abstract, culminating in a delicate and measured abstraction that would define his later pieces.
After World War II, Bryen's influence on the art world grew. He was a founder of the Abstraction-Lyrique movement, which evolved through Surrealism and sought to express the inner self uninhibitedly. This movement, known as Abstract-Expressionism in America, was a significant development in art history. Bryen's abstract poetry, which he termed "Abhumanisme," was a precursor to this movement and later merged into Surrealism.
Bryen's post-war period was marked by a series of groundbreaking exhibitions. In 1946, he presented "Structures Imaginaires" with Arp at the Suzanne Feigel Gallery. The following year, he and Georges Mathieu organized "Non-Figuration Psychique" at the Galerie du Luxembourg in Paris, which led to the historic exhibition "L'Imaginaire." This exhibition is credited with founding the Abstraction-Lyrique movement and included works by Hans Hartung, Raoul Ubac, Jean-Paul Riopelle, and others.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Bryen's work continued to gain international recognition. He participated in numerous Salons, biennials, and collective exhibitions worldwide, and many personal exhibitions were devoted to him in cities such as London, Paris, Milan, and Nantes. His work was also featured in major exhibitions, including "Véhémences Confrontées" in 1951, which included artists like Jackson Pollock and Wilhelm De Kooning.
Bryen's contributions to art were not limited to his own creations. He illustrated various works of literature and was involved in the intellectual discourse of his time, engaging in dialogues that sought to understand and revalorize his work within a broader sociological context.
Camille Bryen's legacy is preserved in the collections of several prestigious museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, and the Centre Georges Pompidou. His work has been honored posthumously with retrospectives and exhibitions, and in 1987, the French postal service issued a 5 Franc stamp featuring his work "Précambrien."
Bryen's art is characterized by a continuous exploration of the subconscious and a rejection of traditional humanist values in favor of a more instinctual and expressive form of creation. His work is a testament to the power of abstraction and the enduring quest for new modes of artistic expression. Camille Bryen passed away on May 8, 1977, in Paris, leaving behind a rich and diverse body of work that continues to inspire and challenge the art world.
Camille Bryen Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: