Bernard Pras

Bernard Pras is the son of Jacques Pras, a cyclist from the 1940s and 1950s. Raised partly by his grandmother, a grocer who would later introduce him to the art world, Pras developed a unique artistic foundation. In 1974, after graduating from the Toulouse Academy, he began teaching art courses, with a particular focus on the engravings of Claude Manesse. By the late 1980s, after years of experimentation, Pras introduced the aquagravure technique. In his specialized studio, he hosted and collaborated with renowned artists from around the world (including Corneille), overseeing the creation of remarkable aquagravures. In 1994, Pras shifted his focus to creating material installations—assemblages of diverse objects photographed as art pieces, inspired by the spirit of Arcimboldo from centuries past. His first major exhibition took place in 1998. The anamorphosis principle soon became a hallmark of Pras’s style, as he began creating ever-larger, intricate object installations. His installations draw inspiration from art history (such as *Crucifixion* and Van Gogh) as well as contemporary culture (portraits of Albert Einstein, Mickey Mouse, and Catwoman). Pras replaces brush and paint with objects and materials, reinterpreting art with his distinct approach. His exceptional portraits emerge from unusual objects like rolls of toilet paper, containers, and salt shakers. He captures these temporary material installations in photographic images, printed in limited editions, preserving the essence of his art for viewers. Today, Bernard Pras’s work is represented globally in leading art fairs and prestigious galleries.