The Warrior 1958

Jean Dubuffet's "The Warrior" is a lithograph that dives deep into the raw, unfiltered expression, challenging the very idea of what art should be. Made in post-war France, this work is a window into Dubuffet's "Art Brut" philosophy, which championed the art of the untrained, the marginalized, and children. It's a rejection of the polished, academic art world, and a shout-out to the primal and the authentic. The rough textures and deliberately crude depiction of the warrior figure confront the traditional standards of beauty and skill upheld by art institutions. Dubuffet sought inspiration outside the conventional art world, finding it in the art of psychiatric hospitals and the graffiti of the streets. By doing so, he questioned the existing social norms and the exclusive nature of the art world, pushing for a more inclusive definition of artistic value. To fully appreciate Dubuffet, dig into the history of "Art Brut," explore the cultural context of post-war France, and challenge your own assumptions about art, skill, and beauty.