Dive into the Innovative World of Patrice Bertin, where Geometric Precision and Expressive Creativity Redefine Contemporary Art.
Consider the esteemed artists such as Monet, Goya, Chagall, Frida Kahlo, Caravaggio, Gauguin, and numerous others who pioneered their respective art movements. Now, take a moment to contemplate the skilled and steady gloved hands required for the delicate restoration and conservation of these works for over 35 years.This pair of hands belonged to Patrice Bertin, one of the world's foremost painting conservators. Born in France, Bertin initially studied at the Académie Charpentier and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs ENSAD, a university which played a pivotal role in the Art Deco movement of the 1920s.
Working on restorations inside Bertin’s studio – New York 1984.
He later transferred his notable conservation business and studio practice to New York City in the 1970s, having successfully worked on countless Old Master collections by iconic artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre Bonnard and Pablo Picasso, from institutions like Le Musée de la Marine in Paris, France, to the prestigious Wildenstein Gallery of New York, amongst various private and public collections worldwide.
Major portraits collection for the prestigious Manhattan Chamber of Commerce to be restored at Bertin’s studio – New York 1984.
Over time, Bertin's unique blend of skills and sensitivity to the delicate nuances of restoration led him quite organically to transition from a full-time conservator to a dedicated painter and designer.
Fully embracing this newfound desire with vigor and feeling fortunate enough to have recognized this shift within him, Bertin eventually made the bold decision to depart New York City altogether. He sought to immerse himself in the tropical climate, flat landscape, and the symmetrical Art Deco charm that permeates Miami, a city pulsating with French arts décoratifs influences locals tend to fail to observe.
After years of the often-solitary conservation studio practice in Manhattan, New York, Bertin now channels his precision and attention to detail into creating exceptional paintings. His compositions, which traverse the spectrum from monochrome to vibrant primary colors, evoke distinct echoes of the geometric abstractionists such as Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg, with subtle nods to the Constructivist movement that experienced a notable resurgence in the vibrant art scene of 1980s and 1990s New York, particularly through the lens of Neo-Expressionism.
In the process of delicate varnish removal at Bertin’s studio – New York 1984.
Today, Bertin's art studio in the heart of Miami, FL, situated near the Design District, stands as a testament to his commitment to his craft, fully equipped and meticulously organized, its floors immaculate and devoid of even a single splatter of paint. With a deft touch, he has reinterpreted and reimagined the sophisticated craftsmanship honed during his years in conservation practice, now applying materials such as gouache, watercolor, and pastel oil sticks onto canvases meticulously primed with layers of gesso and the finest quality of oil paint.
Inside Bertin’s Miami studio – Miami 2023.
The characteristics of rich black strokes arranged in vertical and horizontal lines in his works not only convey a sense of artistic equilibrium but also serve as a manifestation of the artist's mastery over his creative process. Visually captivating, Bertins paintings serve as a reflection of his personal journey of exploration and understanding of design aesthetics. Amidst a world in perpetual motion, his geometric works offer viewers a contrasting sense of security and stillness, inviting them to reconnect with the foundational, natural, and intuitively driven roots of creation.
When asked why he now uses his skilled hands, which have handled millions of dollars' worth of paintings over the decades, to apply the same level of care to his own artistic practice instead, Bertin answers in his unassuming manner and ever-present French accent, "Pourquoi Pas" — "Why not?"
When asked why he now uses his skilled hands, which have handled millions of dollars' worth of paintings over the decades, to apply the same level of care to his own artistic practice instead, Bertin answers in his unassuming manner and ever-present French accent, "Pourquoi Pas" — "Why not?"