Bernard Buffet, the master of post-war figurative art in France, is a prominent figure in Western art history. He enjoys remarkable recognition and visibility in Asia, with a global collector base, and is celebrated as a hall-of-fame artist. The exceptionally talented Buffet garnered attention while studying at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. At just 27 years old in 1955, he was named the top artist in the "Top Ten Outstanding Artists of the Post-War Era"

by Connaissance des Arts, and at 46, he was honored as the youngest member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, attaining the highest distinction in French art history. Throughout his lifetime, Buffet produced over 8,000 works, leaving behind an impressive legacy of classic pieces for future generations. While the global art scene sought to innovate artistic expression in the post-war era, Buffet remained dedicated to painting for more than 50 years. His widely cherished works often explore themes such as circus clowns, bullfighters, portraits, landscapes, flowers, and still lifes. In the global auction market, over 80% of transactions involving his art consist of paintings.

"Cyclamens I", created in 1990, coincided with the artist's purchase of a new home in the Montmartre district of Paris and the publication of his personal biography Bernard Buffet by renowned art critic Alin Alexis Avila. Through the techniques employed in this painting, one can see how the artist has moved away from his earlier, more melancholic and somber tones,opting instead for a lively and vibrant color palette that suggests a state of joy and tranquility. In his sixties, Buffet demonstrated remarkable creative energy,launching two solo exhibitions in the same year. The themes of these exhibitions were "Bretagne" and "Vingt mille lieues sous les mers". The Former, Brittany, draws on the artist's unique childhood memories of spending

summer days with his mother in the western waters of France. Also, the latter, inspired by the works of Jules Verne, the father of French science fiction, presents the fantastical journeys described in his writings. Buffet's state of mind seems to return to the carefree spirit of

childhood, allowing him to create spontaneously. His mastery of painting enables him to effortlessly produce inspiring works of art. In the artwork "Cyclamens I," the artist outlines the

shape of the vase with bold, vigorous black lines, while the minimalist m o n o c h r o m a t i c b a c k g r o u n d accentuates the clarity of the composition's main visual elements. The central visual of the potted plant occupies more than half of the composition, with the vibrant life of

the flowers radiating from the center to the corners of the artwork. The artist skillfully utilizes the tabletop, enlarging his personalized signature on the right while minimizing the area for the date on the left, creating a balanced sense of stability in the painting. Cyclamens I, also known as Xin-Kèlái (meaning Fairy-welcome Flower) in Chinese, frequently appear in Buffet's still-life floral paintings.The bright red flowers and heart-shaped green leaves create a striking color contrast, exuding a lively sense of movement. As one of Buffet's favorite themes, floral subjects run throughout his various stylistic periods. This painting, "Cyclamens I", stands as a testament to the artist's journey from a melancholic youth to a mature phase, reflecting his renewed creative experiences and insights. The effortlessly confident style is truly captivating.