Bernard Buffet (1928-1999), Le pot de cyclamens blancs , 1976, oil on canvas, signed and dated, 81x65 cm Photographic certificate from Ida and Maurice Garnier, signed and dated 18 June 2008 Provenance: Gift of Maurice Garnier to the current owner On verso: label of the Galerie Maurice Garnier, Paris Bernard Buffet (1928-1999) - "Le pot de cyclamens blancs" (The pot of white cyclamen) An emblematic subject in Buffet's repertoire, this bouquet of cyclamen condenses the sought-after aesthetic of the artist's mature period: incisive black line, lean paste, deliberately restricted palette. The chalky-white petals stand out against a neutral grey background that eliminates any superfluous depth, the better to exalt the line. The angular stems and broad, dark green leaves, barely modulated, organise the space into clear planes. The earthen pot and saucer, set on a pale yellow tray, anchor the composition and establish geometric stability for a striking visual impact. The frontal aspect, the economy of the motifs and the distancing of the modelling give the whole an elegant gravity: the drawing leads the painting, the colour serves the construction. Here Buffet transforms the still life into an effigy, each element, simplified and then underlined, becomes a sign. With its balanced format, its favourite subject and the presence of both signature and date, the work combines qualities sought after by the artist and is an authoritative addition to the cycle of bouquets that contributed so much to his recognition. Its interest is further enhanced by its exceptional direct provenance: Maurice Garnier, Buffet's historical dealer.