André Derain, artist, 1880 - 1954 André Derain was born in Châtou, a suburb of Paris, France. Early on, Derain had decided to become an engineer before suddenly changing his goal to that of studying art at the Academie Julian. He shared his studio with his friend Vlamink, painted with Matisse at Collioure near Marseilles and often visited the crumbling studios on the Rue Ravignan (Bateau Lavoir) where Braque and Picasso worked. Derain was one of the original Fauve artistswho were principally concerned with line and colour. In 1908 Derain turned his studies to form, structure and cubism, Impressionism and the styles of Van Goch and Gauguin and Cezanne too in an effort to find a style which he enjoyed. He had studied the Renaissance masters, had performed wood engraving for books and later painted sets and costumes for ballet. He yearned to be different and, although the work of other artists can be seen in his style he made whatever he did personal and poweful. In the 1950’s he developed an eye problenm which caused mental problems for him. Despite treatment he ailed and eventually died fron shock after being hit by a car in Paris. His art was little shown in his later years as he continued to change and experiment, however, it was his Fauvist works and his later portraits that guaranteed his place in modern painting history.
|