Les hauts fleuris 1961

Olivier Debré created this abstract landscape painting, Les hauts fleuris, using oil paint in thick brushstrokes. Debré, living through the tumultuous 20th century, was deeply affected by the social and political upheavals of his time. His work, while abstract, often reflects a search for meaning and beauty amidst chaos. The expressive use of color and form can be viewed as a response to the aftermath of World War II, and the rise of existentialism. Debré’s landscapes are often seen as metaphors for the human condition, exploring themes of identity and place. There is a dialogue between the internal and external, reflecting a world in constant flux. As Debré once said, "I do not represent what I see, but what I feel." This artwork invites us to reflect on our own sense of place within the world, and the ever-changing relationship between self and surroundings.