Subway (1943) by Jean Dubuffet

Subway - Jean Dubuffet - 1943

Artwork Information

TitleSubway
ArtistJean Dubuffet
Date1943
Art MovementArt Brut

About Subway

The artwork titled “Subway” was created by the artist Jean Dubuffet in 1943. It is associated with the Art Brut movement, a term coined by Dubuffet himself to describe art created outside the boundaries of official culture. This particular piece is figurative in genre, representing figures in a manner that is recognizably derived from real-life sources.

“Subway” features a colorful and vivid depiction of a group of figures that seem to be tightly packed, much like passengers might be in a subway carriage. The painting showcases a deliberate primitivism, with figures rendered in a simplistic and almost childlike manner, characteristic of Dubuffet’s Art Brut aesthetic that he championed as raw and untainted by cultural influences. The figures are outlined in black, with their facial features and clothing details emphasized in a direct and unrefined style.

The background of the artwork consists of vertical bands of color that reinforce the sense of confinement and verticality, perhaps evoking the feeling of being in a subway with its vertical poles and segmented carriages. The colors are predominantly earthy, with blues providing contrast, adding depth to the composition. The overall effect is one of bustling activity and close human proximity, reflecting a common urban experience distilled through Dubuffet’s unique artistic perspective.

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