The artwork titled “Vingt mille lieues sous les mers: Le combat avec le requin” was created by Bernard Buffet in 1989. It belongs to the Expressionism art movement and is classified as a literary painting.
In this riveting artwork, the scene depicts an intense underwater battle derived from Jules Verne’s classic novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” The figures, donned in antique diving suits equipped with helmets and complex breathing apparatus, are engaged in a valiant struggle against a formidable shark. The shark’s fierce expression showcases its wide-open mouth lined with sharp teeth, enhancing the tension of the moment. One diver pierces the shark’s underbelly, a bold splash of red signifying the violence of the fight, while another stands ready with an outstretched arm, and a third figure appears to be protecting a fourth individual, who is depicted more vulnerably on the ocean floor. The background is marked by abstract forms of sea life and underwater flora, adding to the surreal and immersive experience of the artwork. Bernard Buffet’s signature bold lines and stark contrasts are evident, emphasizing the raw emotion and drama inherent in this dynamic composition.
