Rebeyrolle, Paul

Painter and sculptor Paul Rebeyrolle was born in 1926 in Eymoutiers, France, a small commune near Limoges. Afflicted by bone tuberculosis in his childhood, he was forced to immobility and solitude, which allowed him to develop a strong observational ability. He studied in Limoges and then, barely 18 years old, went to Paris. For several years he explored painting in exhibitions, workshops and at the Louvre, but also with his contemporaries. Thus, he participated in numerous group exhibitions, especially those of "L'Homme-Témoin". His first solo exhibition took place in 1951 at the Drouant-David Gallery at a time when he had already joined the New Figuration movement.
 

Throughout his life, Paul Rebeyrolle limited himself in favor of artistic freedom. This commitment is reflected in his immense body of work, much of which can be described as "political", a revolt against injustice and oppression. The other part is mainly dedicated to nature, whose beauty for him is violent and untamable. His figurative style and the subjects he tackles without compromise earned him the friendship of philosophers Michel Foucault and Jean-Paul Sartre. The force of his paintings and sculptures can also be found in his prints. He mainly produced lithographs illustrating political texts for art books.
 

At the age of 33, Paul Rebeyrolle was awarded First Prize at the first Paris Biennale; years later he was also awarded the Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris. His loyalty to Maeght in Paris enabled him to participate in exhibitions around the world. The Espace Paul Rebeyrolle, a museum dedicated to his works, was inaugurated in 1995 in his hometown of Eymoutiers.