Two joint exhibits presented the recent work of Martin Barré. In fact, these two exhibitions formed a whole; Barré considers each stage of his work to be a coherent, autonomous, foreclosed unity, even if this unity comprises only a moment in the general history of his art.

Barré’s canvases are linked organically within each series. One could say that they form a “system,” if using that word did not run the risk of implying a mechanical or serial conception of his work; but it is true that for Barré all the paintings of a group constitute a single opus. In this regard Jean Clay speaks of the “myth