Born in 1935, Pierre inherited the talent of his father and grandfather and at the age of nine fell in love with "bas relief" when he saw his father transpose on oak "La descente de croix de Rubens". It stands 5 Feet, 6 Inches tall by 3 Feet, 4 Inches thick. Pierre was totally taken by the majesty of it. It was then that he developed a preference for "bas relief". He says that it was the action and the grouping of people that so interested him.
In 1944, he developed a deep sentiment for the United States, when the 82nd. Airborne Division, liberated his little village, St. Sauveur Le Vicompte from the Germans. He saw carnage on the street where he lived; his Grandfather's house was completely destroyed, as well as other houses next to him. Seeing the fire in the street, the helmets of American soldiers on the ground, the destruction all around him scared him half to death; the horror of it left Pierre, a nine year old boy, deeply shaken. His love and respect for the United States has remained sturdy. He will always be grateful for the liberation of his village and of France.
Between 1949 and 1954 he studied his father's art seriously. His father was a master carver and Pierre learned everything about drawing and carving from him. During this time each year, his father would carve a religious statue, and so Pierre also learned how to work in different materials: wood, stone, iron, resin, etc. Pierre took a break for a year, and between 1951 to 1952 he studied at the Cherbourg School of Fine Arts. However, Pierre found instruction from his father much more satisfying. He was a true role model. He returned home at the end of 1952 to continue studying with his father. They had an excellent relationship.
After Pierre's Military Service in the Navy ended, he joined a theatre in Paris and for ten years played parts that taught him the appreciation of acting. He was a dramatic actor, even a director occasionally. He was in musicals and on Television. In his mind's eye, he could apply what he had learned in the theater to his "bas relief" wood carvings: action, movement, expression, and stage presentation were integral parts of Pierre's work. The composition and the technique of staging were the vital elements that he drew from his experience in the theatre, for which, he says, he is forever and eternally grateful. He returned to Normandy in 1968 and began his life as a sculptor.
From 1975 to 1983, he carved his first great masterpiece: rendition in wood of the entire Bayeux Tapestry. It took him eight years to complete 22 panels, each 10 Feet by 1 Foot 8 Inches, a total of 220 Feet.
He exhibited his Bayeux throughout Norway, (an invitation from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs), Nottodem, Lilehammer, Sandefjord, Fredrikstad, Bergen and the Oslo Folk Museum.
In the Summer of 1983, the completed Bayeux frieze is included in the Georges Mathieu exhibition at the Chateau de Vascoeuil following the Dali Exhibition. Pierre received first prize from the Regional Arts Council.
In 1984, he began his work on the first voyage of Jacques Cartier to Canada. He made drawings and carved eight panels illustrating the journey (8 feet 2 Inches by 1 Foot 8 Inches, a total of 65 Feet).
In the Summer of 1985, the Bayeux Tapestry carving was shown at the Chateau de Champ de Bataille.
The first presentation in England of the Bayeux carvings were in the great Hall of Winchester from March 1966 to November 1966, as part of the "Doomsday 900" exhibition sponsored by "Sunday Times". It was a proud and happy moment for Pierre. He has had numerous exhibitions all across Europe from 1980 to 1997: Norway, France, Italy, Germany England and the United States. This site will attest to his many accomplishments.
Pierre came to the United States in 2000, not only to exhibit his works, but to be close to his daughter, Laura. Pierre and his wife, Josette have been quietly living in Plymouth, Michigan for several years. The proprietors of the Plymouth Museum fell in love with Pierre's Sculptures and commissioned him to do several carvings. The surrounding community caught on to his talent, and commissioned him to do carvings for their own private collection.
Many of the splendid wood carvings you see on this website are for sale, and, if art enthusiasts were to buy some of these pieces, I believe they would immensely enhance the value of their collection. It is very difficult, however, to put a price on the Bayeux Tapestry. Such splendid works of art appear seldom. One can say, however, that as time goes by and people become familiar with it, it will increase in value.
Pierre's work in bas relief shows the influence of Gaugin's work in wood, for example, in his "Jacques Cartier", in his "Mayflower", and in some of his "miscellaneous pieces". It also shows the influence of the Renaissance, for instance in his "Crucifixion", in his "Albrecht Durer", or in his "Juif". Pierre is capable of other such great works, and the projects he has in mind are short of astounding. Pierre Bataille's classic lines just need to be discovered, rediscovered and appreciated by art enthusiasts here in America, abroad and in his own native country, France.
Pierre can be reached through the Contact Us button.