JEAN DUBUFFET & OPERA GALLERY PARIS

Entrance to a Radical Artistic World

Opera Gallery Paris is proud to present Jean Dubuffet, L’Hourloupe and Its Legacy (1962–1982), an exciting exhibition running from October 16 to November 12, 2025. This show marks the 40th anniversary of the artist’s death and celebrates a key period in his career. Dubuffet (1901–1985) is known as a radical force in post-war French art. The exhibition shines a light on his groundbreaking L’Hourloupe series and its impact on his later works.

This event takes place during the Paris Art Week, which is a prime moment for the international art market. Moreover, the gallery’s choice to highlight Dubuffet clearly confirms its deep commitment to post-war French art. Not only is the exhibition a tribute, but it also thoroughly explores Dubuffet’s creative spirit and his bold rejection of tradition. Furthermore, it invites viewers to rediscover the energy and innovation that distinctly define his art.

The Heart of the Exhibition: L’Hourloupe and Jean Dubuffet

The core of the exhibition primarily focuses on L’Hourloupe, a cycle of works produced between 1962 and 1974. During this period, which was crucial for Dubuffet, his L’Hourloupe pieces stand out for their complex, playful lines and bold colors. Indeed, they represent a new language, born from an experimental approach to both form and material.

Moreover, the show gathers a carefully selected range of works created over twenty years. It includes L’Hourloupe I and II, but also many related series. These series are Coucou Bazar, Roman Burlesque, Sites Tricolores, Crayonnages, Récits, Conjectures, Parachiffres, Mondanités, Lieux Abrégés, Théâtres de Mémoire, Psycho-sites, and Sites Aléatoires. Together, they paint a full and vivid picture of Dubuffet’s later artistic journey.

Opera Gallery’s Vision and Dedication

For Opera Gallery, Dubuffet is not just a famous French artist. Rather, he embodies rebellion and innovation—ideas that are central to the gallery’s mission. In fact, Marion Petitdidier, director of Opera Gallery Paris, explains: “Dubuffet’s work reflects Opera Gallery’s very DNA. We have long worked to rethink the post-war French canon and connect it with today’s sensibilities.”

Moreover, Petitdidier adds that Dubuffet’s radical style, material experiments, and defiance of convention strongly resonate with the gallery’s ethos. Consequently, this exhibition highlights these qualities, clearly reminding the audience why Dubuffet remains a key figure in modern art.

A Bridge Between Past and Present in Paris for Dubuffet

The timing of the show is particularly significant. Indeed, Paris Art Week is a major highlight of the global art calendar, coinciding with other important events like Art Basel. Therefore, by presenting Dubuffet during this key moment, Opera Gallery underlines Paris’s renewed role as a vital hub for dialogue between post-war art and contemporary creativity.

Furthermore, this exhibition follows the gallery’s earlier 2021 Paris show, Bal des Figures, which was also devoted to Jean Dubuffet. In this way, it confirms Opera Gallery’s ongoing support for the French post-war avant-garde, as well as its strong desire to keep these important voices alive in today’s art scene.

A Celebration of Creativity and Legacy of Jean Dubuffet

Jean Dubuffet, L’Hourloupe and Its Legacy is more than an exhibition. It is a celebration of one of the 20th century’s most inventive artists. Over two decades, Dubuffet pushed boundaries and redefined art’s possibilities. This show invites us to explore that bold world and appreciate its lasting influence.

For fans of modern art, this is a rare chance to see key works from a vital chapter of Dubuffet’s career. Opera Gallery Paris offers a fresh look at an artist who still challenges and inspires. Don’t miss this tribute to creativity, rebellion, and artistic freedom.

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