Murissement 1959

Editor: This is "Murissement," or "Ripening," a mixed-media print by Jean Dubuffet from 1959. It’s incredibly textural. I’m struck by the layering and how it evokes something organic and weathered. What do you see in this piece, focusing on its formal elements? Curator: The application of mixed media achieves an almost palpable density. Observe the deliberate lack of focal point. This absence challenges traditional notions of composition, pushing us to consider the surface as a whole. How does this all-overness affect your perception? Editor: It's definitely disorienting at first, without a clear subject. But the variations in tone and texture become more apparent, drawing me in. Curator: Precisely. Notice the restricted palette—earth tones, predominantly. This limited color range contributes to a sense of depth and age. Dubuffet is emphasizing the materiality of the work itself, drawing attention to its physical properties rather than illusionistic representation. How does the title, “Ripening," inform your reading of these formal qualities? Editor: I see the connection between the textured surface and the idea of growth and decay – that slow process made visually arresting. Curator: A very astute observation. It prompts one to contemplate the transformative potential inherent in simple materials, divorced from any external narrative. Editor: I hadn’t considered the absence of narrative until now, but that definitely shifts my perspective. Curator: And that, perhaps, is the essential lesson. A piece like this encourages us to look beyond what we expect and appreciate the pure visuality of art.