Le promeneur 1958

This print, titled "Le promeneur" or "The Walker", was created by Jean Dubuffet, using a technique called lithography. This process involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate, and then using oil-based inks to transfer the image onto paper. Dubuffet was very interested in the art of everyday life, what he termed "Art Brut". In this work, the figure is roughly hewn from a collage of textures, set against a field of earthy tones. Look closely, and you'll see the image teems with incidental marks and imperfections. He deliberately disrupted conventional methods, exploiting the inherent qualities of lithography to create a raw, unfiltered aesthetic. Consider the cultural context here. After the Second World War, many artists began challenging traditional notions of beauty and skill, searching instead for authenticity in the mundane. Dubuffet pushed the boundaries of what was considered "art", by celebrating the crude and the commonplace. Ultimately, by focusing on materials, techniques, and its cultural context, we come to a richer understanding of this work.