Pierre Bittar: French Impressionist Artist

Art Critics

"Because it was urgent to break away from a declining academicism, Claude Monet exhibited his "Sunrise" in 1874. Impressionism was born. His provocative star was viewed as a passing meteor...rather shocking. We know today what ensued...the works that emanated from this art school are the most cherished, the most sought and the most expensive in the world."However, not every artist that wants to become an Impressionist painter can succeed. There is nothing more difficult to communicate than a personal and volatile impression. It requires a sensitivity as vibrant as the sound of the violins string. Some artist were and are granted this gift from God and they must strive to share the grace of this gift. Pierre Bittar is one of these privileged artists.Yet talent is not enough. The effort is great as the artist stands in front of his easel but he cannot just dip his brush into colors. He must be able to communicate to his canvas all the vibrancy of colors, shades, shadows and contours that make the outcome so luminous. The magic of creativity comes into play as the artist expresses the overflowing and irresistible tide of power, color, light and perfect harmony.In the manner of the great Impressionists, Pierre Bittar also works out of doors. No matter the climate, sometimes braving extreme cold or heat. As he paints his eyes are full of the sight he is viewing but he is also moved by his other senses...hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting the atmosphere that surrounds him. All of these things combined help him to interpret the landscape or seascape he is painting. The result of this alchemy is that the painting breathes life and the viewer experiences this phenomenon. From this exchange of vibrations is born the most subtle of connection between the hand and heart of the artist and the gaze of the spectator. Bittar, the portraitist uses the same methods as in his landscapes. Only in portraits, he insinuates the intricacies of the personality of his model. As the brook sings, the snow falls, the light flutters across the land...by the same manner, it is the essence of the soul that is diffused on the painted features of the man or woman, revealing their secrets."
Phillip Cruymans · Figaro Art Critic · 1990

Galleries

The Wally Findlay Galleries, which specialize in Impressionism, wrote the following about Pierre Bittar: "Although inspired by the French Impressionists, Pierre Bittar has been able to achieve the almost impossible. By developing a totally distinctive style he has redefined the tenet of classic Impressionism. Light and atmosphere are fused with luminous colors to create compositions that abound with the smell and feel of the great outdoors. The artist, who could be called, and rightfully so, a leader of Contemporary Impressionism, believes that 'an artist establishes a communion between himself and nature which depends on the awareness of all the senses. To accomplish this he must call upon the maximum of all the human emotion one possesses'."