Marcel Burtin - An ode to colour

MARCEL BURTIN - An ode to colour

Works 1935 - 1973

The exhibition organised by Galleria Michelangelo in honour of the artist Marcel Burtin (Gafsa, Tunisia, 1902, Boulogne-Billancourt, 1979), is a real ode to colours.
On display there are large, abstract, dynamic and colourful artworks; pieces in which the artist expresses his joy for painting, in front of which, one cannot remain unmoved.
The artist proves that he’s able to justify the format of his canvases without taking the risk of falling into a decorative style and without reaching an artificial synthesis where the motif has vanished and all the superfluous is submerged, removed.
Colour is the key element in Burtin’s abstract works; a journey through the world of chromatisms, made up of rhythms and contrasts.
From these canvases the colours that emerge are reds, blues, saffron yellow, colours that are opposite to each other but, at the same time, attract each other and they reach a sparkling and luminous perfection, which represents the artist’s vigorous and balanced art, from which his joy of living emerges.
After being a student of Matisse and Leger, in 1940 Burtin joins the "Groupe de la jeune peinture" together with Bores, Gischia, Manessier, Le Moal, Tailleux and Tal Coat. He also takes part in the extraordinary pictorial effervescence that characterised the war years. In this period he becomes friend with Picasso.
His first exhibition takes place in the historical Galerie Denise René in Paris during the exhibition “Histoire d’un tableau”, organised in 1945 by André Lhote for the young artists.
In 1946 his paintings are exposed at the Galerie Vendôme. Burting is now free from the enchant and influence of Matisse, which was limiting his potential. It is in this occasion that the Museum of Modern Art buys one of his painting.
In 1947 his second personal exhibition takes place at the Galerie de France in Paris. He takes part in the collective exhibition “Peintres d’Aujourd’hui” with the artists Borés, Le Moal, Gischia, Desnoyer, Dayez, Lapicque, Pignon, Tal Coat and many others.
During the same year, his paintings are displayed at the exhibition “Jeunes Peintres de l’Ecole de Paris” at the Galerie Moos in Ginevra and at the French art exhibition in Dublin, at the Gallery Victor Waddington, together with Rouault, Matisse, Picasso, Beaudin, Lapicque, Manessier, Pignon, De Staël, etc.
At the end of this year, he takes part in the exhibition “Le nouvel Art français” in Luxembourg and his painting “Natura morta con pipa” is bought for the Museum of Luxembourg.

In 1952 he takes part into an important exhibition at the “Palais de New York” in Paris, called “Transposition poétique”, with other artists such as Léger, Laurens, Le Moal, Manessier, Pignon, Szobel and Mouly
Another personal exhibition happens at the “Galerie Da Silva” in Marseilles.
In 1953 he takes part in “Salon des Peintres de leur Temps” and in 1956 in “Exposition d’art français contemporain” in Marseilles alongside Picasso, Léger and the best contemporary artists with whom, in the same year, he exhibited in Mexico.
In 1957 he organises a solo exhibition at the “Galerie Berri-Lardy” in Paris and during the same year, a major solo exhibition was held at the prestigious “Galerie Charpentier”in Paris.
In 1958 and 1960 he takes part in "Les Grands et Jeunes d'Aujourd'hui" at the “Musée d'Art Moderne” in Paris.
Burtin has also exhibited at the “Salon de Mai” since 1958, the year of its establishment.
The artist continues his career at the new “École de Paris”, whilst continuing his friendship with always being good friend with Edouard Pignon, who he had met in 1932.
In 1964 the “Galerie Camille Renault” organises a solo/personal exhibition which recognises him as one of the best artists of his time.
The artist is displayed in various museums of modern art, including the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris, Musée di Saint Denis, Musée d'Antibes, etc.

Dates: 22nd March - 16th April 2022

TIMES: from Tuesday to Saturday 9.30 - 12.30 / 16.00 - 19.00

Address: Galleria Michelangelo, Bergamo, via Broseta 15

Free admission