Olivier Debré

Olivier Debré was born in 1920 in Paris into a family of doctors and politicians. His father was the renowned pediatrician Robert Debré, and his brother Michel Debré would become Prime Minister under de Gaulle. He inherited his artistic streak from his mother, whose father and uncle were recognized artists.
From a young age, Olivier began drawing, painting, and sculpting. He studied architecture at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris under his uncle Jacques Debat-Ponsan and also attended Le Corbusier's studio. He quickly turned to painting, finding in this art form a direct and emotional expression, especially during the troubled wartime years.
In 1941, Debré presented his first paintings at the Galerie Aubry in Paris. He met Pablo Picasso, who influenced his artistic approach. In 1945, he married Denise Coulon, with whom he had two children. His works evolved towards abstraction, marked by "Signs" that symbolized his emotions. He began exhibiting regularly in various Parisian salons, and his first solo exhibition took place in 1949 at the Galerie Bing.
In the 1950s, his works gained texture and expressiveness. In 1959, he exhibited in the United States, meeting artists like Franz Kline and Mark Rothko. The 1960s saw his work turn towards abstract landscapes, characterized by fields of color and fluid painting. He also created monumental works and stage designs, notably for the Comédie Française and the Hong Kong Opera.
The Loire River, which profoundly inspired him, became a central subject in his work. He often worked in his studio in Touraine, near the river, whose landscapes imbued his paintings. Olivier Debré gained international renown with exhibitions in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Several retrospectives of his work were organized in the 1970s. He also engaged in artistic collaborations in decorative arts, sculpture, ceramics, and stained glass. Elected to the Académie des beaux-arts in 1999, he passed away the same year. Since 2017, the Centre de Création Contemporaine Olivier Debré in Tours has been showcasing his works.