Pierre Bittar is a French citizen, born in 1934. From the age of 10, his ambition was to become an Impressionist artist. After his father’s early death he worked to help his family. As a youth he spent hours in front of paintings, studying the techniques of the Great Masters. Among his favorite artists were Rembrandt, the Impressionists in general, and Claude Monet in particular. Having painted continually as an amateur since the age of 10 he became a full time artist in 1980 having received the Gold Medal at the Salon des Artistes Français at the Grand Palais in Paris, France the year before. He was also awarded several other important awards such as the International Albrecht Durer Prize in 1981, and the Honored Prize at the Salon de la Marine in 1985.
Many galleries in the USA and Europe have displayed his work at one-man shows. He opened his own Gallery in Harbor Springs Michigan in 1992.
1953: Employed with NCR, a multinational data processing company; took evening classes in painting at the Academie Leonard de Vinci.
1956: Finished his studies at the Academie. Practiced plein-air painting in the company of his professor, and began portrait painting using himself and members of his family as subjects.
1963: Exhibition at the Potterat Gallery in Lausanne, Switzerland.
1973: Awarded Medal at the Salon du Chesany, France.
1974: Exhibition at the Cultural Center of Parly 2, Le Chesany, France.
1975: Awarded First Prize and Medal of the city of Nice.
1976: Awarded Gold Medal at the Salon du Chesany. Participated for his first time at the Salon de Artistes Francais held at the Grand Palais, Paris, where all three paintings submitted were accepted. Awarded the Silver Medal and the Paul Liot Prize. Group show at the Marcel Bernheim Gallery.
1977: Awarded the first Grand Prix of Visitors to the Salon du Chesnay. Acquisition of one of his paintings by the City.
1978: Exhibition at the Salon Leonard de Vinci, Paris.
1979: Awarded the Gold Medal at the Salon des Artiste Francais, Grand Palais.
1980: Left NCR to become a full time artist. Exhibition at the Phillips Galleries in Palm Beach, Florida.
1981: Awarded the International Albrecht Durer Prize. Continued exhibiting at the Phillips Galleries and held an Exhibition at the Salon de la Marine, Paris.
1982: In residence in Haute Savoie. Exhibition Salon des Artistes Francais. Exhibition Notre Dame Gallery. In residence in the United States and Exhibition at the Phillips Gallery, Dallas, Texas. Commissioned to paint in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
1984: Exhibition, 2nd Biennale, Boulogne-Sur-Mer. Exhibition at the Pittiglio Gallery, Paris. Two Exhibitions organized by the Omell Galleries in London and Windsor. Honoured guest at the Salon des Peintres du Coteau.
1985: Guest of Honour at the Salon du Chesnay. Exhibition in Carmel, California. Exhibition at the Phillips Galleries in Dallas, Texas. Group Show at the Haussmann Gallery, Paris. Exhibition at the Salon de la Marine, Paris. Group Show at the Newman Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts.
1986: Publication of the book, “Pierre Bittar”.
1992: Established his own Gallery in Harbor Springs, Michigan; showcasing his work exclusively. Continued to travel to France and Italy to paint. Painted commissions and portraits, as well as all the seasons of Northern Michigan. Celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the gallery in 2007.
2000 – Present: Pierre’s work is presently displayed at his own Gallery in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
