PORTRAITS - a blending of intimacy and media overexposure

Portrait de Florence Robert, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 2006

The portraits consist of nine paintings which have been put together; each one portrays the bust of the same person on a scale of one. Together these items form a square pattern and have the same background.

Portrait de Florence Robert, details

The artist has represented his model at nine different time moments. Hence a very specific touch for each portrait, which highlights the artist's concern with the problematic question of representing human beings. His models belong to his familial or professional circles and have been selected for their capacity for self-introspection. What emerges is the density of the model, his or her diverse facets and life traits and not simply his or her physical beauty. Each work is composed of multiple pieces just like the unfocused and split self of the individual of today, and as such may recall psychoanalytical exploration.

Portrait de Xavier Cazard, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 2007

In the background, a portrait which is emblematic of nineteenth century or twentieth century art, a dialogue is thus set between the background and the foreground. The superimposition of the contemporary portrait on the classical portrait helps establish filiations between the pieces and enhances the unifying role of the passing of time.

Portrait de Jacqueline Fourcaut, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 2007

The format of each portrait is always the same, that is a square (1.80 x 1.80 m) made of nine canvas paintings identical in size (60 x 60 cm). The whole composition equates with canonical and average human measurements. Jean-Christophe Robert's treatment of the background and the subject in the foreground is variable. He models the background after the classics, which creates some distance, while shifting to his personal mode and style to portray the character's face and expression and to capture his model's intimate being.

Portrait d'Eric Laurent, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 2002

Portrait d'Eric Laurent, details

Portrait d'Arnaud de Raignac, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 2006

Portrait de Bruno Tysler, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 2005

Portrait d'Arnaud de Raignac, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 2000

Portrait de Francois de Lignéris, details, 1999

Portrait de Jean-Michel Marchais, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 1999

Auto-portrait rouge, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 1999

Portrait de Jessie de Chartres, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm, 1998