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Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) - Printmaker
Raoul Dufy’s importance as an artist during the first half of the 20th century is inestimable and his works are shown in principal public collections worldwide.
Dufy was one of the most popular painters and printmakers of the 20th century. His style, his subject matter, and his light, bright colours reflect a joy and a celebration of life.
Born in the northern French port city of Le Havre, he was from a large family of nine children and had to leave school and start work at the age of 14. He studied art at night school eventually receiving a grant to enable him to attend the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
His early work was in an Impressionist style, but he became a convert to Fauvism in 1905 under the influence of Matisse. In 1908 he worked with Braque at L’Estaque in a more sober style influenced by Cézanne, but thereafter he soon developed the highly personal manner for which he became famous. It is characterized by rapid calligraphic drawing on backgrounds of bright colours thinly washed on a white ground, and was well suited to the glittering scenes of luxury and pleasure he favoured. Alongside his career as a painter he took up print making and his favourite subjects became bathers, regattas, casinos and palm trees, race courses and orchestras.
He was a well-established figure by the mid 1920s and the accessibility and joie de vivre of his work helped to popularize modern art. |
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