Simon Bussy (1870 - 1954)

Simon Bussy was born 30 July 1870 to a family of shoemakers in the commune of Dole, in the Jura region of eastern France. A prominent French artist, well versed in the popular styles in France at the turn of the century, Bussy was steadfast in his own artistic beliefs. Making no concessions to outside influences, Bussy pursued his own chosen path of naturalistic and intricate works in pastel and oil.

 

Bussy’s careful renderings of exotic birds and creatures in both oil and pastel are his best-known works, and demonstrate his immense skill as both a draughtsman, and a colourist. Working on an intimate scale in fresh hues, and with a delicate touch, Bussy’s zoological works display a mastery of his chosen mediums, and his great fascination with the creatures before him. In each depiction he found a new way to represent the individuality of his sitter, through the brilliant plumage in vibrant yellows and reds, or the piercing eyes, seemingly keeping the observer firmly in sight.

 

Although at odds with the style of the time in which they were produced, these works emit such delight and consideration that onlookers are challenged to examine them closely and see the depth of colour and careful reflection present in each work. Over the subsequent four decades, Bussy would refine his technique – mixing pastel with gelatine to improve texture and depth - and produce a plethora of vibrant and majestic portrayals of creatures which would become his legacy. Bussy was not hoping to surprise his audience, but to present pictures of a great and overwhelming simplicity, which unavoidably capture the imagination of the viewer.