Curatorial notes
Camille Bombois made this painting called 'Le Repos des Gens du Cirque,' and I love how he fearlessly goes in with these bold shapes and simple colors to build this world. It's like he's saying, "Here's what I see, take it or leave it!" There's something about the flatness of the figures against the backdrop that pulls me in. Look at the texture of the grass: Bombois doesn't try to trick you into thinking it's real; instead, it’s rendered as a field of vertical brushstrokes, a sea of green, almost vibrating with energy. That dancer in the foreground, with her high-kicking leg and those shiny black stockings. She's almost cartoonish but still has this weight and presence. Bombois reminds me a bit of Henri Rousseau. They both had this incredible ability to create their own visual language and approach to painting with a certain innocence. It’s a reminder that art doesn't always have to be slick or sophisticated; it can be raw, honest, and utterly unique.