1901
Born on July 31st in Le Havre
1917
Attends first classes at the École des Beaux-Arts, Le Havre
1918
Moves to Paris after finishing his high school diploma and starts studying at the Académie Julien, but after 6 months he decides to continue his education independently
1921
For the first time he deals with literature and language
In Paris he makes the acquaintance of Raoul Dufy, Fernand Léger and Juan Gris.
1923
Performs his military service
1924
4-month stay in Buenos Aires
1944
First exhibition at the Galerie René Drouin, Paris (more to follow)
1945
Introduces the term “Art brut"
1948
First trip to the Sahara, in El Goléa (first of a total of three)
First publication of own texts on art
1959
Participation in documenta 2, and subsequently documenta 3 and 4
1960
Retrospective at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris; later donates large collection of works to the museum
Begins a series with ink
1962
Begins his Hourloupe series
1966
Begins to work with sculptures
1974
Founds the Dubuffet Foundation, which manages the estate of more than 2500 works
1984
Designs the French Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
1985
Dubuffet dies on May 12 in Paris