“Laissez les jacasser,” created by Bernard Buffet in 1990, is an expressionist portrait. The artwork depicts a human face and two parrots, executed in Buffet’s characteristic linear and angular style. The portrait genre and expressionist movement are evident in the exaggerated features and emotional intensity of the work.
In the artwork, a man’s face dominates the right side of the canvas, rendered in stark, dark lines that emphasize his sunken cheeks, furrowed brow, and rather gaunt appearance. His expression seems pensive or troubled, with deep-set eyes that convey a sense of melancholy or contemplation. The left side features two parrots perched on a thin, barren branch, their forms also outlined in bold, dark strokes. The parrots appear to be engaged in a lively conversation, indicated by their expressive postures and open beaks. The background is a subdued mix of earthy tones, allowing the central figures to stand out prominently. Bernard Buffet’s signature is prominently displayed towards the center-right of the composition, aligning with his typical practice of integrating his name into his works.
