08/04/16
Interview with Bernard Jacobson
Bonheur de Vivre
Bernard Jacobson Gallery, London
17 March – 27 May 2016
Art dealer Bernard Jacobson has been
looking at art for 60 years and selling it for 45. But he is becoming
increasingly disillusioned. “I think it’s the end of an era,” he says, going on
to lament the loss of generous spirit and increase in megalomania and
consumerist drive amongst contemporary artists. In fact, he doesn’t call them
artists; “I call them businessmen”, he laughs wryly.
As an antidote to this despair,
Jacobson has mounted a splendidly colourful and vibrant exhibition, featuring
works by Matisse, Miró, Calder, Motherwell and Sam Francis, who, to him,
epitomise the “bonheur de vivre” of the 20th century. Matisse is quoted as saying: “Colour above
all, and perhaps even more than drawing, is a means of liberation,” and it is
certainly the key element in this joyous show.
Although never having worked with
Matisse or Miró before, Jacobson is a staunch supporter of Motherwell, was a
close friend of Francis, and met and was befriended by Calder as a young man.
He spoke to Studio International about some of his memories, as well as some of
his opinions on the state of the art world and his hopes for the future.
Watch this interview here