Artist: Stephen Hansen
Title: A View of Paris: The Life of Pleasure (Dubuffet)
Medium: Acrylic/Paper Mache'
Dimensions: 24.5"h x 30"w
"A View of Paris: The Life of Pleasure (Dubuffet)" is a vibrant and whimsical painting featuring a scene with human-like figures dressed in black suits and hats, all with expressive, animated faces. The background is a colorful urban landscape with buildings painted in bold colors, predominantly orange, yellow, and blue. There are French storefronts, adding to the lively Paris city atmosphere. In the foreground, a central figure dressed in an artist's outfit, covered with colorful paint splatters, is engaged in the act of painting. This figure interacts with the scene, implying that they are both part of the artwork and the creator of it. Nearby, other figures from the painting react enthusiastically, with arms raised and different dynamic postures, giving the scene a sense of motion and interaction. The overall style is playful and imaginative, characterized by bold outlines, vivid color contrasts, and a cartoonish, almost theatrical depiction of characters and architecture. The composition skillfully merges the act of creation with the depicted scene, creating a layered narrative within the artwork.