Fondation Jean Dubuffet

The Fondation Jean Dubuffet is a French artistic foundation and museum established in 1973 by the artist Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985). It operates from two sites: its registered office and main collection in Périgny-sur-Yerres, Val-de-Marne, and its secretariat in a Paris townhouse in the 6th arrondissement. The foundation serves as the principal institution dedicated to preserving and presenting Dubuffet's artistic legacy, housing over 1,000 works and an extensive photographic archive. Both locations are open to the public, with admission fees charged.

Jean Dubuffet founded the institution in 1973 during his lifetime, ensuring direct control over the preservation and presentation of his work. The artist had acquired the Paris townhouse at 137 Rue de Sèvres in 1962, more than a decade before establishing the foundation, suggesting a long-term commitment to creating a permanent base for his artistic activities. The foundation was structured to outlast the artist's own career and continue his mission after his death in 1985.

The foundation acquires and conserves Dubuffet's original work alongside items from his personal collection. Its holdings encompass plans, designs, and models; gouaches, drawings, and prints; notes and manuscripts; and various documents. The collection contains over 1,000 works and more than 14,000 photographs of his art. This archive provides comprehensive coverage of Dubuffet's practice, from preparatory materials to finished pieces, supported by extensive documentary evidence.

While specific individual masterpieces are not catalogued in the available sources, the collection's significance lies in its depth and completeness as a repository of Dubuffet's entire oeuvre. The inclusion of plans, models, and designs alongside finished works offers particular insight into his working methods. The photographic archive of over 14,000 images documents the evolution and dissemination of his art.

The foundation occupies two distinct sites. The registered office and main collection are located on Rue de Moulin Neuf, Sente des Vaux-Ruelle aux Chevaux, in Périgny-sur-Yerres, Val-de-Marne. The Paris townhouse at 137 Rue de Sèvres in the 6th arrondissement, acquired by Dubuffet in 1962, contains an exhibition space and a center of study. This dual-site structure separates the primary collection and archives from the administrative and research functions.

Both the Périgny-sur-Yerres and Paris locations are open to the public, with an admission fee charged for entry. The main collection in Périgny-sur-Yerres serves as the primary destination for viewing Dubuffet's work, while the Paris townhouse offers exhibition and study facilities. The foundation remains an active institution under its original 1973 charter, continuing its mission of conservation, research, and public access.