In the world of contemporary arts, Robert Combas is a central figure that is known for his fearless and unrestrained style in painting. Figuration Libre movement was one of the major exhibitions of 1980s and Combas’s artwork is full of colour, energy and defiance against art’s conventional ideas. Among his most remarkable paintings, “The Big Supper” is a stroke of genius, a snapshot of a meeting place where everyone is enjoying life. In this article, we focus on the life and career of Robert Combas, explain the chaotic lavishness of “The Great Supper” and reveal the interesting complexities of his artistic perspective.
Who was Robert Combas?
Robert Combas, one of the most prominent French contemporary artists, came into the limelight in the 1980s as a cornerstone contributor to the Figuration Libre movement. On May 25, 1957, in Lyon, France, a boy named Combas was born in a family where art was highly respected. He attended the École des Beaux-Arts in Montpellier, where he cultivated his distinctive style marked by vivid colors, incisive strokes, and a sense of immediacy in rendering figures.
FUN FACT: Robert Combas has not only made his mark in the art world but also in the music scene. In addition to his visual art, he’s known for his musical talents. Combas is the lead singer and lyricist for the French rock band Les Sans Culottes (The Pantiless), which he co-founded in the 1980s.
His Career
The Figuration Libre movement emerged in 1980s simultaneously with Combas together with Hervé Di Rosa, Rémi Blanchard and François Boisrond. Instead of adopting contemporary art of intellectualism and minimalism they rejected, they embraced a more expressive and colorful style. They traced the influence from graffiti, comics, and famous culture.
During his long career, Combas has shown a lot of different subjects and they most of the time were the scenes of everyday life but with an atmosphere of immense chaos and life. His paintings are well known for their vivid colors, dynamic compositions and unrestrained brush strokes, in keeping with his fascination with the human condition and the complexities of the modern world.
What is Happening in “The Big Supper”?
| Artist | Robert Combas |
| Date Created | 1986 |
| Medium | Acrylic on canvas |
| Genre | Figurative, Contemporary |
| Period | 20th Century |
| Dimensions | 320 x 200 cm |
| Series/Versions | N/A |
| Where is it housed? | Private Collection |
“The Big Supper,” the most advanced work of Robert Combas produced in 1986, can be considered his outstanding artwork, where we see his unconventional, unhumble style. The artwork in question is a colossal painting – in proportions of 320 x 200 cm – that is accomplished with acrylic on canvas. It portrays events in the manner as merry feasts, where the feasters are depicted at various levels of behavioral solemnity.
The most prominent centerpiece in the artwork is a vast table, surrounded by an array of edibles and beverages all kinds. Figures circle around the tabletop, being actively involved in heated talks, dinuorn communication through the joyful and common facial expressions. The atmosphere becomes tantamount of feeling as if in a whirlpool of multiple bodies that are busy and are interloping and covering one another in no specified or defined way.
By Combas’s typical character of color and form the viewer can feel the liveliness of the crowd and the celebration in all its magnitude. Bold dramatic brush strokes and energetic compositions just add to the spontaneity and liveliness of this painting. The viewer cannot help but get lost in the excitement as he/she becomes a part of the vortex.
Interesting Facts about “The Big Supper” and Combas’s Artwork
Influence of Music: Combas’s love for music, particularly rock and roll, heavily influenced his artistic style. He often listened to music while painting, and this rhythm and energy are palpable in his works, including “The Big Supper.”
Expression of Freedom: Combas’s works are celebrated for their uninhibited expression and celebration of freedom. “The Big Supper” is a testament to this ethos, capturing the joyous abandon of a festive gathering.
Legacy of Figuration Libre: Alongside his contemporaries, Combas played a pivotal role in reinvigorating figurative painting in the 1980s. The Figuration Libre movement challenged conventional notions of art and paved the way for a new wave of artistic expression.
Artwork Spotlight: L’amour
“L’amour” (Love) by Combas is also available on Singulart. This artwork stands out as significant work among his oeuvre. Using his characteristic bold style to represent love affairs “the love” captures the feelings of passion, desire and human relationship in common with Combas painting signs.
Are you looking for a masterpiece from Robert Combas?
Singulart presents exclusive limited edition pieces by Robert Combas. To discover and acquire Combas’ art, click on the artwork or the button below for more information!
Conclusion
The Big Supper serves as an example of the audacious and unrestrained manner of art creation of Robert Combas. With his exiting shapes and colorful scheme, Combas let people into a world of confusion and festivity, where life is being lived intensely. Combas, who has been an innovator in the Figuration Libre movement, is still an inspiration to many as he goes on to express himself in a distinctive manner through his unlimited creativity.
