Francis Picabia (1879-1953):

Francis PICABIA (1879-1953); "Le rocher de la Mède, Porquerolles" Charcoal & Pastel, 1908; dim: 25 x 19 cm
Work produced during the journey he made by car with Gabrielle Buffet who would become his wife the following year and who would convert him to abstract art (see the excellent Arte report on the life of Gabrielle Buffet-Picabia). This is the end of the impressionist period of Picabia...
Born in Paris in 1879 at 82, rue des Petits-Champs, Francis Picabia died in 1953 at the same address. The only son of a diplomat, he grew up in an affluent environment far from the anti-conformist movements for which, paradoxically, he showed a strong attraction. From 1905, and following the success of his exhibition at the Haussmann gallery, his paintings were exported to France. 'foreigner. He participated in the Armory Show New York in 1913 with his friend Marcel Duchamp, but his work was mocked by critics, as was often his career. Between Paris, the French Riviera, Barcelona and New York, this great socialite, active in the “Puteaux group” and founder of the review 391, rubs shoulders with a number of emblematic figures (Laurencin, Gleizes, Apollinaire, Steiglitz, Andre Breton, Tzara…). An eclectic creative, he also saw as many artistic experiences as there are “isms” in the art of the turn of the century. Yet freeing himself from any classification, he is considered one of the most radical founders of Modernity. Today, his works animate the contemporary guard (Damien Hirst) and are very sought after, in particular those with the Dada spirit (Udnie, Atrata, the Eye ...) and in his period of the “Monsters” (Le Baiser, Les Amoureux …). (Artprice)