The work Siamoises (c. 1950) marks a pivotal moment in the career of Jean Boullet. Throughout this period, Boullet’s technical precision and his fascination with the “monstrous” defined a unique niche in the mid-century Parisian avant-garde. This pen and ink drawing serves as an original study for his seminal publication, Barnum’s Digest: 10 monstres fabriqués par Jean Boullet. Collectors highly regard this specific series because it intersects clinical observation with artistic myth-making, echoing historical anatomical curiosities while maintaining a clean, modernist aesthetic.
In this composition, Boullet focuses on the duality of the form. He utilizes fluid contours and minimalist detail to grant the subjects a sense of volume and physical presence. His approach deliberately avoids the grotesque; instead, he presents a balanced, almost classical portrayal. The figures exude a distinctive “tough” aesthetic—visible in the leather belts, wristbands, and defiant expressions—which bridges the gap between traditional circus iconography and the underground subcultures of 1950s Paris. This duality transforms the work into a significant artifact of both social and art history.
No products in the cart.