PARIS.- The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) is celebrating the bold and provocative work of contemporary artist Damien Deroubaix (b. 1972) with the exhibition Damien Deroubaix: En un jour si obscur. This marks the first time a national institution has highlighted Deroubaix’s multifaceted art, which draws from societal critiques and an extensive range of influences, from death metal to Renaissance masters. The exhibition juxtaposes over 70 of his works with masterpieces from the BnF’s engraving collection, including those by Albrecht Dürer and Paul Gauguin.

A Visionary Artist

Deroubaix is one of the few artists of his generation to equally embrace engraving, painting, and sculpture, merging these mediums through dynamic interactions. His work is both allegorical and iconoclastic, haunted by the music of his adolescence and enriched with references to art history and countercultural movements. The exhibition showcases engravings, paintings, wood panels, and sculptures—some created specifically for this event.

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition, presented in the Mansart Gallery, unfolds across three thematic sections:

• "Apocalypses": This section explores Deroubaix’s use of hybridization and citation, featuring figures of death and monstrous creatures inspired by artists such as Hans Baldung Grien, Hans Holbein, and Albrecht Dürer. It also draws from modern caricaturists like José Guadalupe Posada and John Heartfield. These influences are evident in Deroubaix’s provocative engravings, woodcuts, and paintings.

• "Chaos, Theatre of the World": Inspired by Francisco de Goya and Pablo Picasso, this section reflects Deroubaix’s engagement with allegory and social commentary. His etchings and woodcuts capture the dramatic intensity of their works while addressing contemporary horrors through macabre imagery.

• "Vanities, Portrait of the Artist as Shaman": This section delves into Deroubaix’s current focus on oil painting, exploring themes of mortality and the artist’s role. Works here reference Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and other iconic figures, blending self-portraits, still lifes, and intricate compositions that bridge engraving and painting.

An International Career

Damien Deroubaix studied in Saint-Étienne and Karlsruhe, Germany, and has exhibited extensively across Europe, with major shows in Switzerland and Germany. His residencies at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin (2005) and the International Studio & Curatorial Program in New York (2008) further cemented his reputation. In 2009, he was a nominee for the prestigious Marcel Duchamp Prize. His works are included in esteemed collections such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Mudam Luxembourg.

Artistic Approach

Deroubaix’s practice spans painting, engraving, tapestry, sculpture, and installation, characterized by an eclectic blend of references. His works juxtapose medieval motifs with contemporary tragedies, mythology with folklore, and metal music with art history. Often expressionist in tone, his apocalyptic themes resonate deeply, offering both timeless and urgent reflections on humanity.