This exhibition marks the beginning of his rise in the Parisian artistic environment, annually exhibiting his artworks and receiving recognitions such as the Prix de la Critique in 1948 and the Prix Puvis de Chavannes in 1950. At the same time, he also dedicates himself to illustrating literary works, such as "Les Chants de Maldoror" by the Comte de Lautréamont in 1952, and collaborates as a set designer and costume designer for the theater.
His artworks range from portraits to still lifes, from city views to rural landscapes, also including sacred and profane scenes. In 1955, the magazine "Connaissance des Arts" names him among the ten best post-war artists. In 1958, the Charpentier Gallery hosts the first retrospective of his work, achieving great public and critical success.
Bernard Buffet's personal life is equally interesting. After a relationship with Pierre Bergé, on December 12, 1958, he marries the writer and actress Annabel Schwob, with whom he adopts three children: Virginie, Danielle, and Nicolas. In 1961, one of his paintings on the life of Christ is donated to the Vatican Museums. In 1973, he receives the appointment of Knight of the Legion of Honor, and the same year the Bernard Buffet Museum is inaugurated in Japan.
Bernard Buffet is not limited to painting: in 1978, he designs a stamp for the French postal administration. His artwork is vast and includes over 8,000 works, including paintings and prints. Despite his success, Bernard Buffet had to face criticism, especially in the world of painters.
The path of Bernard Buffet, however, ends tragically. The artwork, afflicted by Parkinson's disease and unable to continue his work, chooses to take his own life on October 4, 1999, in Tourtour, in the south of France. His artistic legacy, however, remains a reference point in the world of 20th-century art, testifying to his ability to capture the essence of human existence through his artwork.