Context and analysis of the work
Context
Jean Dubuffet was born in Le Havre in 1901 to parents who were wine merchants. At the age of 16, he took evening classes at the École des Beaux-Arts. After obtaining his baccalaureate, he moved to Paris to devote himself to painting. In 1924, Jean Dubuffet had doubts about his path and stopped painting for 8 years. He returned to Le Havre and took up a position in the family business. In 1942, he returned to painting and devoted himself fully to it. The artist was interested in creations that nobody takes seriously, such as children's drawings and the art of the mentally ill. He enjoyed "badly painted" or unfinished pictures. He called this world Art Brut. This allowed him to find a boldness and freedom in his work by escaping the scrutiny of the art world.
Analysis of the work
1. The work
"Allées et venues": marker and vinyl paint on paper, 50 x 67 cm, 1965.
2. The technique
Jean Dubuffet reproduced the mechanical movements usually reserved for his notebook during his telephone calls. Black lines outline flat areas and hatched spaces in blue, red and yellow. Sometimes these random shapes reveal recognisable elements such as faces or people.
3. The meaning
The name "Allées et venues" symbolises the motion Dubuffet makes while drawing these shapes.
4. The use
"Allées et venues" is a major work in the "Hourloupe" cycle. During this 12-year period, Dubuffet's works question our perception of the world, offering a whimsical, original, and surprising reconstruction in the form of a puzzle of hatching.
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Educational objectives: children 2-6 years old
Materials:
- Canson® Colorline® 150g paper: white
- Giotto gouache: blue, red, yellow
- Brush
Objectives:
- Learn about Art Brut and Jean Dubuffet
- Express opinions on a piece of art
- Create a painting in Dubuffet's style
The method:
Before starting the activity, print the material the children will be working on on white Colorline® paper. The black lines have already been drawn to make it easier for the little ones to work.
Show the painting "Allées et venues" by Dubuffet and let the children comment on what they see. Then give a few details about the work and the artist.
Give the children the sheet of paper with the black lines drawn on it. Explain that they are going to paint in the style of Jean Dubuffet. To do this, they will have to use only the 3 primary colours: blue, yellow and red.
First, ask the children to paint the entire inside of a few shapes. Then draw vertical or horizontal lines in other solids.
Leave a few empty spaces.
Educational objectives: children 7-11 years old
Materials:
- Canson® Colorline® 150g paper: white
- Giotto gouache: blue, red, yellow
- Brush
Objectives:
- Learn about Art Brut and Jean Dubuffet
- Express opinions on a piece of art
- Create a painting in Dubuffet's style
The method:
Show the children "Allées et venues" and let them express what they see and feel. Following this discussion, provide some information about the work and the artist.
Provide each child with a sheet of white Canson® Colorline®. Explain that they are going to paint in the style of Jean Dubuffet. To do this, they will draw curves all over the page using black gouache. After this, only the colours red, yellow and blue can be used. Explain to the children that their painting will have to be made up entirely of painted, hatched and empty shapes.
