French painter who was one of the principal Fauvists.
Derain studied painting in Paris
at the Académie Carriere and at the Académie Julian. He developed his early style in
association with Maurice de Vlaminck, whom he met in 1900, and with Henri Matisse, with
whom he became acquainted in 1905. Together with these two painters, Derain was one of the
principal exponents of Fauvism in the period from 1905 to 1908. He painted landscapes and figure
studies in brilliant, sometimes pure colours and used broken brushstrokes and impulsive
lines to define his spontaneous compositions. Derain broke with Fauvism in 1908, when he
temporarily came under the influence of the works of Paul Cézanne. He worked for a few
years in a stylized form of Cubism, but by the 1920s his paintings of nudes, still lifes,
and portraits had become increasingly Neoclassical, and the spontaneity and impulsiveness
that had distinguished his earlier work gradually disappeared. His art underwent virtually
no change after the 1920s. Derain had considerable ability as a decorator and created
theatrical designs, notably for the Ballets Russes. He also produced numerous book
illustrations.
b
Chatou, nr Paris, 17 June 1880; d Garches, 8 Sept 1954
French painter, sculptor, illustrator, stage designer and collector. He
was a leading exponent of FAUVISM. In early 1908 he
destroyed most of his work to concentrate on tightly
constructed landscape paintings, which were a subtle
investigation of the work of Cézanne. After World War I his
work became more classical, influenced by the work of such
artists as Camille Corot. In his sculpture he drew upon his
knowledge and collection of non-Western art.
Bal des soldats
a Suresnes
1903
Boats
1905
Portrait of
Matisse
1905
Boats at Collioure
1905
Mountains at Collioure
1905
Collioure
1905
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