Lot Essay
« Tout le mérite d’un tableau est d’entraîner qui le regarde dans un monde de prodiges ; où tous les objets représentés ou suggérés apparaissent sous un aspect inaccoutumé, mais cependant plausible et irréfutable, de manière qu’on a le sentiment de les voir là pour la première fois dans leur véritable aspect, et comme si on ne les avait jusqu’alors qu’entrevus dans l’ombre, et qu’ils se trouvent maintenant seulement par le fait de cette explication puissamment illuminés. Comme s’ils étaient tout à coup, et par vertu magique, doués de langage, et aussi troublants et passionnants qu’un chien qui parlerait. […] C’est là l’effet d’enchantement d’un tableau réussi, c’est à ce titre qu’un tableau peut être si passionnant à posséder chez soi, comme un chien qui parle. » - Jean Dubuffet
''The whole merit of a painting is to draw the viewer into a world of prodigies, where all the objects represented or suggested appear under an unusual aspect, but nevertheless plausible and irrefutable, so that one has the feeling of seeing them there for the first time in their true aspect, and as if one had hitherto only glimpsed them in the shadows, and that they are now only by the fact of this explanation powerfully illuminated. As if they were suddenly, by some magical virtue, endowed with language, and as disturbing and exciting as a talking dog. [...] This is the enchanting effect of a successful painting, and this is why a painting can be so exciting to have in your own home, like a talking dog.'' - Jean Dubuffet
''The whole merit of a painting is to draw the viewer into a world of prodigies, where all the objects represented or suggested appear under an unusual aspect, but nevertheless plausible and irrefutable, so that one has the feeling of seeing them there for the first time in their true aspect, and as if one had hitherto only glimpsed them in the shadows, and that they are now only by the fact of this explanation powerfully illuminated. As if they were suddenly, by some magical virtue, endowed with language, and as disturbing and exciting as a talking dog. [...] This is the enchanting effect of a successful painting, and this is why a painting can be so exciting to have in your own home, like a talking dog.'' - Jean Dubuffet