Bernar Venet creates large-scale site-specific installations, works of avant-garde performance art and other provocative pieces that have earned him a place among France’s most significant Conceptual artists. He is also known for his abstract and figurative drawings, as well as abstract sculptures.
Venet was born in 1941 in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in southern France as Bernard Venet. In 1958, he attended EMAP Villa Thiole in Nice and decided to pursue an artistic career. Venet moved to New York City in 1961 and started to garner recognition for his monochromatic tar paintings and coal sculptures. It was during this period that he dropped the “d” from his first name.
In 1971, Venet took a break from making art and spent some time teaching art theory at the University of Paris. He decided to resume his artistic work in 1976 and showed his work the following year at Kassel, Germany’s “documenta 6,” a contemporary art exhibition that has featured the likes of Berenice Abbott, Diane Arbus, Willem de Kooning and others. Around this time, Venet pivoted to working with wood and created a series of reliefs called “Arcs, Angles and Straight Lines.” The National Endowment of the Arts recognized Venet with a grant in 1979.
The grant kicked off two decades of exhibitions throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and South America. To date, Venet has participated in more than 40 public sculpture exhibitions and created monumental installations in cities around the globe, including Berlin, Denver, Auckland, Geneva, Austin, Tokyo, Vancouver and more.
In 2005, the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur awarded him with the highest order of merit in France. He was also awarded the International Sculpture Center Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture in 2016. Venet’s works are held in the collections of leading museums around the world including the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Centre Pompidou.
Venet lives and works between New York City and Le Muy.
On 1stDibs, find original Bernar Venet paintings, prints, sculptures and more.
$114,740
72.5° Arcs
By Bernar Venet
Located in Paris, FR
Black patina steel sculpture 70 x 43 x 30 cm Title engraved at base of work To achieve a flawless curve, 72.5° Arcs is based on the fundamental principles of Euclidean geometry. Fol...
Steel, Stainless Steel
1 Arc Vanity
By Allied Maker
Located in Glen Cove, NY
This hand-spun 8" dome is meticulously brushed and waxed to desired finish. The hand blown glass provides pleasant surface diffusion while also complimenting the light's overall form...
Brass
$2,600
H 5.12 in W 5.52 in D 4.34 in
Antique French Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Architectural Model Arc de Triomphe 1825
By Leblanc Frères 1
Located in Portland, OR
A fine early 19th century grand tour gilt bronze architectural model of the Arc de Triomphe, French, circa 1825. This very fine grand tour model of one of France's most celebrated monuments, having pediment with concealed hinged lid opening to a storage reservoir. The bronze having silver relief figural group plaques, the model is mounted on a black marble oval base, the model made by Leblanc Freres...
Marble, Bronze
Concrete Hoodoo Standing Lamp by OPIARY (H72")
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. These modern, sculptural standing lamps are an elegant way to introduce nature, sculpture, and light into your space. Like all Opiary products, these are hand-sculpted in our Brooklyn studio and fully customizable. DETAILS Sold individually. Measures: (Medium: H 72"). 100 w LED bulb and integrated wall plug Functional in all weather conditions FINISHES Available in earth, white, light grey, grey, dark grey, and black GFRC Pricing varies based on finish. Please message before purchasing Price listed is for our standard light grey option Pictured here in our dark grey cement option All Opiary pieces are hand crafted and made-to-order, and dimensions/finishes are approximations. Clients are welcome to visit our Brooklyn studio during the fabrication of pieces. MODIFICATIONS The LED bulb can be replaced with a grow light...
Cement
Perforated Arc
By Allied Maker
Located in Glen Cove, NY
This hand-spun 20" perforated dome is meticulously brushed and waxed to desired finish. The hand blown glass provides pleasant surface diffusion while also complimenting the light's ...
Brass
$5,997Sale Price|40% Off
H 18.5 in W 11.5 in D 4.25 in
Tireuse A L'arc Bronze Greek Archer Diana Sculpture by Pierre Le Faguays
By Pierre Lefaguays
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Designed by French sculptor Pierre Le Faguays in 1925, this Art Deco bronze statue features a young Grecian female archer named "Diana" gracefully pulling her bow. The statue highlig...
Bronze
$840Sale Price|30% Off
H 24.81 in W 11.82 in D 7.88 in
Eugene Marioton (1857-1933) - "Joan of Arc" Sculpture - Signed
By Eugene Marioton
Located in Porto, PT
"Joan of Arc". French sculpture from the early 20th century, in art bronze. Signed. Dimensions: (height) 63 cm.
Marble, Metal
Perforated Arc 14"
By Allied Maker
Located in Glen Cove, NY
This hand-spun 14" perforated dome is meticulously brushed and waxed to desired finish. The hand blown glass provides pleasant surface diffusion while also complimenting the light's ...
Brass
Unique Hand Painted Porcelain Figure of Joan of Arc Riding a Horse
By Royal Vienna Porcelain
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Stunning porcelain figure of Joan of Arc, made by Royal Vienna. The highly detailed sculpture with had painted details with a clear mark indication Royal Vienna, artist is Ernst Wahl...
Porcelain
$10,800
H 7.75 in W 9.25 in D 6.75 in
French 19th century Bronze and Marble Arc de Triomphe statue/box
By Leblanc Frères 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely decorative French 19th century Grand Tour Period patinated Bronze and black Belgian marble Arc de Triomphe statue/box, signed LeBlanc Frères, Paris. This wonderfully dec...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Patinated Spelter Figure of Joan of Arc on Horse
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office of a study with this elegant statue of Joan of Arc, the iconic French heroine and saint. Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique figure sits on a rectangular bas...
Spelter
Large Arc Hand-Blown Glass Inhabitants Lighting
By Nana Spears and Noah Spencer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fort Makers handblown glass Inhabitants lighting collection is inspired by shapes found in nature and ancient art. Designed by Nana Spears and Noah Spencer, these light sculptures re...
Blown Glass
$1,075
H 9.88 in W 4.25 in D 3.5 in
Matte Brown Ceramic TOTEM w/ Gold Arc'd Crown on Soft Cube & Oval Forms
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
One in a new series of Modern TOTEMS consisting of soft round or rectangular forms on small conical feet. The shapes begin as a solid piece. They are then hollowed out, stacked and t...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Steel Stools by Bernar Venet
By Bernar Venet
Located in New York, NY
Torch cut steel Unique pieces, signed and dated 2012
Cut Steel