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Henry-Claude Cousseau's 'La Nuit claire' Gathers 32 Texts on Art

publication · 2026-04-23

Henry-Claude Cousseau, the director of the École nationale des Beaux-arts de Paris, has curated a collection of thirty-two writings published between 1976 and 2004 in 'La Nuit claire' (Éditions Jacqueline Chambon). These texts, sourced from exhibition catalogs and magazines, spotlight artists whom Cousseau has supported, such as Richard Baquié, Jean-Pierre Bertrand, and Anish Kapoor. The anthology prioritizes lesser-known artists and individual paths rather than controversies or sensationalism. Notably, Cousseau reflects on Gaston Chaissac and Jean Hélion as key influences. The book articulates a vision of French art marked by rigor and a dedication to painting, featuring detailed analyses of forms, colors, and symbols. It concludes with 'Les ruses de l'intimisme: remarques sur la modernité de Vuillard,' encapsulating its essence.

Key facts

  • Henry-Claude Cousseau is the director of the École nationale des Beaux-arts de Paris.
  • The book 'La Nuit claire' contains 32 texts published between 1976 and 2004.
  • The texts were originally published in exhibition catalogs or magazines.
  • Artists covered include Richard Baquié, Jean-Pierre Bertrand, Pierrette Bloch, Philippe Boutibonnes, Pierre Buraglio, Gaston Chaissac, Marc Couturier, Monique Frydman, Jean Hélion, Howard Hodgkin, Anish Kapoor, Tony Oursler, Giulio Paolini, Jack Pierson, Bernard Réquichot, Yves Régnier, Sarkis, Pierre Soulages, and Niele Toroni.
  • Cousseau focuses on Gaston Chaissac and Jean Hélion as key figures.
  • The book ends with a text on Vuillard titled 'Les ruses de l'intimisme: remarques sur la modernité de Vuillard'.
  • Publisher: Éditions Jacqueline Chambon.
  • The collection reflects a personal vision of art in France emphasizing discretion and painting.

Entities

Artists

  • Henry-Claude Cousseau
  • Richard Baquié
  • Jean-Pierre Bertrand
  • Pierrette Bloch
  • Philippe Boutibonnes
  • Pierre Buraglio
  • Gaston Chaissac
  • Marc Couturier
  • Monique Frydman
  • Jean Hélion
  • Howard Hodgkin
  • Anish Kapoor
  • Tony Oursler
  • Giulio Paolini
  • Jack Pierson
  • Bernard Réquichot
  • Yves Régnier
  • Sarkis
  • Pierre Soulages
  • Niele Toroni
  • Édouard Vuillard

Institutions

  • École nationale des Beaux-arts de Paris
  • Éditions Jacqueline Chambon

Locations

  • Paris
  • France

Sources