Bernard Morteyrol

Bernard Morteyrol (1942–2019) was a French painter associated with the Narrative Figuration movement. Born in Paris on September 27, 1942, he spent nearly 40 years in the city before moving to the Var region, first settling in Aups and later in Villecroze in 1985, where he lived and worked until his death on November 20, 2019.

Morteyrol’s artistic career took shape in the 1960s when he reconnected with painting and embraced a style that critically engaged with mass media imagery, including comic strips and advertisements. As a member of the Salon de la Jeune Peinture in the 1970s, he exhibited alongside influential artists such as Gérard Fromanger, Ernest Pignon-Ernest, and Gérard Guyomard. His work often served as a critique of consumer culture, emphasizing the power of imagery in shaping social and political consciousness.

His artistic journey saw the development of several thematic series, including "Réflexion" (1973-74), "Portraits-Autoportraits" (1977), "À la recherche de Dante" (1980), "Totems et Trophées" (1987), "Série Noire" (2001), "Jazz" (2002), "Black-Jazz" (2009), and "Ecce Homo" (2018). These works reflect his deep engagement with visual language and his desire to use art as a form of resistance.

Morteyrol’s legacy continues through his distinctive narrative style, which invites viewers to question the omnipresent visual culture of modern society. His works have been exhibited widely and remain significant within the context of contemporary figurative art.