Pierre Bittar: French Impressionist Artist

February 13, 1934 Birth of Pierre Bittar. His father is a musician his mother is a descendant of the House of Savoie.

1939: His parents encourage young Pierre whose talent for drawing and coloring is already apparent.

1940-1952: He uses all his leisure time to paint and to visit museums where he spends hours in front of paintings, studying the techniques of the Great Masters. Among his favorite artists were Rembrandt, the Impressionists in general, and Monet in particular.

1953: The death of his father makes it impossible for him to continue his studies. He is employed with NCR, a multinational data processing company; Pierre takes evening classes in painting at the Academie Leonard de Vinci.

1956: Finishes his study at the Academie. Practices plein-air painting in the company of his professor, and begins 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. Participates for his first time at the Salon de Artistes Francais held at the Grand Palais, Paris, where all three paintings submitted are 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 (permanent award) at the Salon des Artiste Francais, Grand Palais. Sought out by several American and British galleries. Bittar sells almost all of his paintings that he had completed on weekends, vacations, and his leisure time.

1980: Leaves NCR to become a full time artist. Exhibition at the Phillips Galleries in Palm Beach, Florida.

1981: Awarded the International Albrecht Durer Prize. Continues exhibiting at the Phillips Galleries and has 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 are organized by the Omell Galleries in London and Windsor. Honored guest at the Salon des Peintres du Coteau.

1985: Guest of Honor 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: Establishes his own Gallery in Harbor Springs, Michigan; showcasing his work exclusively. Continues to travel to France and Italy to paint. Paints 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.

1956: Finishes his studies at the Academie and is awarded 1st prize at graduation.

1973: Awarded a medal at the Salon du Chesnay.

1975: Awarded 1st prize and the Gold Medal of the City of Nice.

1976: Awarded Gold Medal at the Salon du Chesnay.

1976: Submits three pieces to the Salon des Artistes Francais at the Grand Palais. All three are accepted and Pierre is awarded the Silver Medal and the Paul Liot Prize.

1977: Awarded 1st Grand Prix of Visitors to the Salon du Chesnay.

1979: Awarded the Gold Medal (permanent award) at the Salon des Artistes Francais, where Impressionist artists were refused in the late 19th century.

1981: Awarded the International Albrecht Durer Prize.

1985: Guest of Honor at the Salon du Chesnay.

1985: Honored Prize at the 'Salon de La Marine' in Paris, where he was invited by the Minister of Defense to spend two weeks painting on board a vessel of the French Marines.