“Blue Fish,” Roger Bezombes (1913–1994), c.1970s color lithograph, 22×29 in., pencil-signed & numbered 17/150.
“Blue Fish” is an original 1970s color lithograph by celebrated French modernist Roger Bezombes, signed and numbered 17/150. Measuring 22×29 inches, the work showcases Bezombes’ signature fusion of bold Mediterranean color, collage-inspired abstraction, and stylized fish motifs that made him a leading figure in French postwar printmaking and design.
Artwork Description
Composition & Imagery
This vibrant two-part composition features an abstract aquatic tableau in the upper panel and a monumental stylized fish in the lower panel:
Upper section: A mosaic of floating organic shapes—bubble-like forms, botanical textures, shells, floral fragments, and patterned swatches—rendered in soft pink, jade green, seafoam, lavender, and cream. These fragments evoke underwater flora, rock pools, and the layered visual density of coral reefs.
Lower section: A large geometric fish constructed from overlapping color blocks of deep blue, teal, sea green, coral red, and patterned white. The fish’s eye is formed by a swirling circular collage motif, giving it a sculptural, medallion-like presence reminiscent of Bezombes’ medalist work.
The mix of solid color fields, pattern overlays, and textured collage simulation creates a sense of rhythmic movement, as though the fish is assembled from fragments of visual memory.
Style, Period, Medium & Technique
Period: c. 1970s, corresponding to Bezombes’ prolific era of marine-themed lithographs.
Medium: Original color lithograph on wove paper, 22×29 in.
Technique: Multiple runs of lithographic ink produce the dense, layered palette. Patterned elements mimic collage but remain entirely lithographic, achieved through Bezombes’ sophisticated use of masks, stencils, and overprints.
Signature: Pencil-signed “Roger Bezombes” lower left; edition number 17/150 lower right.
Inspiration & Story Behind the Work
Bezombes was fascinated by fish not only as symbols of abundance, Mediterranean culture, and travel, but also as sculptural forms that allowed him to integrate his interest in medals, patterns, textiles, and global motifs. His fish compositions often evoke culinary traditions, talismans, and totems; here he creates a serene aquatic dreamscape where fragments of memory, texture, and travel merge into a single lyrical form.
“Blue Fish” reflects Bezombes’ lifelong practice of blending painting, collage, printmaking, and medallic art into a unified decorative language—bright, celebratory, and unfailingly modern.
Artist Biography (Roger Bezombes)
Roger Bezombes (1913–1994) was a French painter, printmaker, sculptor, medalist, and designer whose exuberant color, bold forms, and hybrid use of collage and relief made him a central figure in postwar French art.
Early Life & Education
Born in Paris in 1913, Bezombes entered the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, studying under Paul Baudoüin and René Barotte. He spent years copying masterpieces at the Louvre, strengthening his command of composition, color, and classical technique. A key early influence was his friendship with Maurice Denis, who introduced him to Gauguin, Van Gogh, Matisse, and the decorative and Symbolist traditions that would later permeate his work.
Formative Influences & Travel
Winning major artistic prizes allowed him to travel through North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe—experiences that infused his art with rich color, global ornament, and fascination with cultural symbols. His lifelong interest in medals and tactile surfaces developed through his parallel career as a sculptor and medalist.
Mature Career: Painting, Medals, Posters & Lithographs
Bezombes worked across mediums—oil painting, sculpture, medallic art, tapestry design, and an extensive body of lithographs printed at renowned French ateliers. His work is defined by:
vivid Mediterranean color
stylized figures, still lifes, animals, and fish
collage-like fragmentation
embossing, relief, and medal motifs
global influences ranging from Provence to North Africa to Japan
In the 1960s–1980s, he became widely known for his imaginative medals and his celebrated Air France posters, which combined surreal forms, culinary themes, world travel, and explosive color.
Teaching & Exhibitions
Beginning in 1954 he taught at the Académie Julian in Paris. Bezombes exhibited internationally for five decades, including major solo shows at:
Musée de l’Athénée, Geneva
Château Grimaldi, Cagnes-sur-Mer
Musée de la Monnaie, Paris
Musée Réattu, Arles
Galerie Charpentier, Paris
Wildenstein Gallery, London
Romanet-Vercel Gallery, New York
Reattu Museum retrospective (2008)
FIAF Gallery, New York (2015–16)
His group exhibitions included major Paris salons and international biennials. His work resides in numerous public and private collections.
Legacy
Roger Bezombes occupies a unique place in 20th-century French art—bridging fine art, decorative arts, design, and medallic sculpture. His imagery is instantly recognizable: joyful, rhythmic, tactile, colorful, and infused with multicultural references. His fish, fruit, masks, and medallions remain among the most celebrated motifs in French modernist printmaking.
Roger Bezombes (1913–1994), “Blue Fish,” c.1970s color lithograph on wove paper, 22×29 in., pencil-signed and numbered 17/150. Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
ARTFIND GALLERY — CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Roger Bezombes (French, 1913–1994)
Title: Blue Fish
Date: c.1970s
Medium: Original color lithograph on paper
Dimensions: 22 × 29 in. (sheet)
Edition: 17/150
Signature: Hand-signed “Roger Bezombes” in pencil; numbered lower margin
Condition: Vintage; light expected handling consistent with age
Provenance:
Original publisher / studio
Mitch Morse Gallery, acquired in NYC and Europe
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
Artfind Gallery certifies the above work as an authentic lithograph by Roger Bezombes from the stated limited edition.
Provenance Chain (Collector Format)
Roger Bezombes / original publisher, France (c.1970s)
Mitch Morse Gallery, New York & Europe
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — current owner
“Blue Fish,” Roger Bezombes (1913–1994), c.1970s color lithograph, 22×29 in., pencil-signed & numbered 17/150.
“Blue Fish” is an original 1970s color lithograph by celebrated French modernist Roger Bezombes, signed and numbered 17/150. Measuring 22×29 inches, the work showcases Bezombes’ signature fusion of bold Mediterranean color, collage-inspired abstraction, and stylized fish motifs that made him a leading figure in French postwar printmaking and design.
Artwork Description
Composition & Imagery
This vibrant two-part composition features an abstract aquatic tableau in the upper panel and a monumental stylized fish in the lower panel:
Upper section: A mosaic of floating organic shapes—bubble-like forms, botanical textures, shells, floral fragments, and patterned swatches—rendered in soft pink, jade green, seafoam, lavender, and cream. These fragments evoke underwater flora, rock pools, and the layered visual density of coral reefs.
Lower section: A large geometric fish constructed from overlapping color blocks of deep blue, teal, sea green, coral red, and patterned white. The fish’s eye is formed by a swirling circular collage motif, giving it a sculptural, medallion-like presence reminiscent of Bezombes’ medalist work.
The mix of solid color fields, pattern overlays, and textured collage simulation creates a sense of rhythmic movement, as though the fish is assembled from fragments of visual memory.
Style, Period, Medium & Technique
Period: c. 1970s, corresponding to Bezombes’ prolific era of marine-themed lithographs.
Medium: Original color lithograph on wove paper, 22×29 in.
Technique: Multiple runs of lithographic ink produce the dense, layered palette. Patterned elements mimic collage but remain entirely lithographic, achieved through Bezombes’ sophisticated use of masks, stencils, and overprints.
Signature: Pencil-signed “Roger Bezombes” lower left; edition number 17/150 lower right.
Inspiration & Story Behind the Work
Bezombes was fascinated by fish not only as symbols of abundance, Mediterranean culture, and travel, but also as sculptural forms that allowed him to integrate his interest in medals, patterns, textiles, and global motifs. His fish compositions often evoke culinary traditions, talismans, and totems; here he creates a serene aquatic dreamscape where fragments of memory, texture, and travel merge into a single lyrical form.
“Blue Fish” reflects Bezombes’ lifelong practice of blending painting, collage, printmaking, and medallic art into a unified decorative language—bright, celebratory, and unfailingly modern.
Artist Biography (Roger Bezombes)
Roger Bezombes (1913–1994) was a French painter, printmaker, sculptor, medalist, and designer whose exuberant color, bold forms, and hybrid use of collage and relief made him a central figure in postwar French art.
Early Life & Education
Born in Paris in 1913, Bezombes entered the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, studying under Paul Baudoüin and René Barotte. He spent years copying masterpieces at the Louvre, strengthening his command of composition, color, and classical technique. A key early influence was his friendship with Maurice Denis, who introduced him to Gauguin, Van Gogh, Matisse, and the decorative and Symbolist traditions that would later permeate his work.
Formative Influences & Travel
Winning major artistic prizes allowed him to travel through North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe—experiences that infused his art with rich color, global ornament, and fascination with cultural symbols. His lifelong interest in medals and tactile surfaces developed through his parallel career as a sculptor and medalist.
Mature Career: Painting, Medals, Posters & Lithographs
Bezombes worked across mediums—oil painting, sculpture, medallic art, tapestry design, and an extensive body of lithographs printed at renowned French ateliers. His work is defined by:
vivid Mediterranean color
stylized figures, still lifes, animals, and fish
collage-like fragmentation
embossing, relief, and medal motifs
global influences ranging from Provence to North Africa to Japan
In the 1960s–1980s, he became widely known for his imaginative medals and his celebrated Air France posters, which combined surreal forms, culinary themes, world travel, and explosive color.
Teaching & Exhibitions
Beginning in 1954 he taught at the Académie Julian in Paris. Bezombes exhibited internationally for five decades, including major solo shows at:
Musée de l’Athénée, Geneva
Château Grimaldi, Cagnes-sur-Mer
Musée de la Monnaie, Paris
Musée Réattu, Arles
Galerie Charpentier, Paris
Wildenstein Gallery, London
Romanet-Vercel Gallery, New York
Reattu Museum retrospective (2008)
FIAF Gallery, New York (2015–16)
His group exhibitions included major Paris salons and international biennials. His work resides in numerous public and private collections.
Legacy
Roger Bezombes occupies a unique place in 20th-century French art—bridging fine art, decorative arts, design, and medallic sculpture. His imagery is instantly recognizable: joyful, rhythmic, tactile, colorful, and infused with multicultural references. His fish, fruit, masks, and medallions remain among the most celebrated motifs in French modernist printmaking.
Roger Bezombes (1913–1994), “Blue Fish,” c.1970s color lithograph on wove paper, 22×29 in., pencil-signed and numbered 17/150. Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
ARTFIND GALLERY — CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Roger Bezombes (French, 1913–1994)
Title: Blue Fish
Date: c.1970s
Medium: Original color lithograph on paper
Dimensions: 22 × 29 in. (sheet)
Edition: 17/150
Signature: Hand-signed “Roger Bezombes” in pencil; numbered lower margin
Condition: Vintage; light expected handling consistent with age
Provenance:
Original publisher / studio
Mitch Morse Gallery, acquired in NYC and Europe
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
Artfind Gallery certifies the above work as an authentic lithograph by Roger Bezombes from the stated limited edition.
Provenance Chain (Collector Format)
Roger Bezombes / original publisher, France (c.1970s)
Mitch Morse Gallery, New York & Europe
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — current owner
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