Jacques Bouyssou

Le Cafe Noir

Jacques Bouyssou was a French expressionist artist born in 1926 near Honfleur Paris. He was influenced from an early age, as his father owned an art gallery in Paris representing some of the leading expressionists of his time including Friez, Dufy, Lagar, and Leprin. Bouyssou studied architecture at the Beaux Arts de Troyes, and drawing with the sculptor Janin. When he moved to Paris to study at the Academie de la Grand Chaumiere in the studio of D'Othon Friez, he discovered his love for painting. He was tutored by Friez, and quickly became a master of the beach and port scenes of Normandy. His paintings remind the viewer of Marquet with their luminosity, and of Utrillo, particularly his street scenes. In 1950 he married. Bouyssou's life was difficult for the young couple, but his desire to succeed as an artist was not diminished. After exhibiting a few paintings in many different galleries, he finally arranged a one-man show in Paris. That successful show led to one-man exhibitions in London and New York. In 1968 Bouyssou began exhibiting frequently in Paris and New York. His superb draftsmanship and composition are supported by clear, sensitive, and harmonious nuances of color. The paintings of this noted contemporary French artist have gained him international recognition as the official marine artist of France. Bouyssou's well-deserved reputation has grown at a rapid pace, as his works portraying ports, cities and beach scenes are appreciated by discerning collectors. His paintings are found in notable galleries, private collections and, museums throughout Europe and the United States. Not only is Bouyssou a painter of great talent, he represents the purest tradition of French art. He paints just like the great impressionists of former times, playing with his colors as a musician does with his musical instruments. He obtains in each of his works a marvelous harmony of color and light. His paintings are in numerous museums in France; in the Petit Palais in Pads, at Langres, and abroad, and at Casablanca. Since his first exhibition at the Salon des Artistes Augerons in Paris, he has exhibited in all the major French Salons, as well as in the United States, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, England, Sweden, Taiwan, Japan, Brazil, and Venezuela. Exhibition Awards: 1er prix du Salon des Bas Normands, 1955; 1er prix de Deauville, 1965; Peintre Agree au Departement de la Marine, 1973; 1er prix de Maisons Laffitte, 1978; Medaille d’Or Salon de la Frette, 1978; Medaille de la Ville de Paris, 1978; Medaille du Salon des Bas Normands, 1979; Nomme peintre titulaire de la Marine, 1987; Nomme Chevalier dans l’Order National de la Legion d’Honneur, 1990. Museums: Honfleur; Rouen; Beyrouth; Montreal; Philadelphia; Art Moderne, Paris; Menton; Musee de la Marine, Paris; New York Public Library; Bibliotheque National, Paris; National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England.