Etienne Buffet (X1885, 1866-1948)

Pupil of the painter Franck Bail (1858-1924) then at the Académie Julian of William Laparra (1873-1920), Paul Albert Laurens (1870-1934), professor of drawing at the Ecole Polytechnique and Henri Royer (1869-1938). Étienne Buffet was both a prolific painter, familiar with the Salon des Artistes français from 1903, author of more than 3500 paintings, and a scientist, polytechnicien and artillery officer (he reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel). He is the author of an "Essay on the Integral Theory of Painting". Here is how he defines beauty: "Beauty results from both character and harmony". Etienne Buffet's approach was guided by the desire to translate an abstract concept, beauty, into algebra.