Daitoku-ji Temple 1990

Olivier Debré painted Daitoku-ji Temple with oil on canvas, using the characteristic materials of fine art. However, it is the materiality of the paint itself that comes to the fore here. This wasn't about a meticulous finish, but about exploring the qualities of the medium: its viscosity, its capacity to flow, its potential to blend, and its ability to hold the mark of the brush. This approach emphasizes the act of painting as a physical engagement, and in that way it’s very close to craft traditions, where the direct handling of materials is key. Debré’s all-over application of the paint evokes a sense of boundless space, reflecting his interest in the Zen Buddhist temple, but also the importance of his own gestures, as he worked. By focusing on the raw materiality of his medium, Debré blurred the boundaries between high art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the intrinsic qualities of the paint and the actions of the artist.