He was born in France, but grew up in Belgium. Started painting at the age of 11 in Brussels at the Academic Royal de Beaux-Art under the direction of C. Montaldo.
1896 - 1987
Andre Masson
description
A French painter and sculptor, a bright representative of avant-garde movements in his country and the United States. Andre Masson, a close friend of A. Breton, J. Miro, M. Ernst, was one of the largest early French Surrealist artists. Then, abandoning the main ideas of this style, he focused on the expressive image of impulses of love and hate, acutely reacting to the tragic events in Europe.
Forcefully living in America for several years, the artist was interested in ancient, African-American and Native American mythology, putting modern sound into the plots. His style influenced many young American artists who developed Abstract Expressionism.
A. Masson wrote, “painful contradictions are the source of the greatest artistic inspiration”; his identification as a Surrealist is ambiguous, although it was he who was the most ardent supporter of the release of the subconscious.
Throughout his life, Masson had a huge number of exhibitions throughout Europe and in the United States; his works, including those created in a unique style with the use of sand, are at the most significant contemporary art galleries and museums of the world.
Key ideas:
– In the early paintings of the artist, his interest in Cubism is seen: the objects are depicted from several points of view. However, Masson did not use such techniques as the division of objects into faces and planes.
– A special feature of the works of the early 1920s is individual color solutions – the so-called dull, “bleached” painting, giving the oil paintings the appearance of thin and delicate watercolors.
– Later, Masson became an active advocate of the “autonomous”, independent of the mind method of creating canvases – he forced himself to work in extreme conditions, for example, after a long starvation or several days without sleep, or under the influence of narcotic substances. So he hoped that he could get rid of the conscious and free his art from rational control.
– From the mid-1920s, the artist experimented by throwing sand on canvas, covered with glue or fresh paint. D. Burliuk used approximately the same method a little earlier seeking texture of painting.
– By 1930 and later, the artist became somewhat isolated from Surrealism that had gained strength and, besides paintings on the subject of the Spanish Civil War, created works in a more structured style and with a strong erotic component. American customs officers, inspecting Masson’s baggage, found nude artworks and, considering them as pornographic, destroyed them in front of the author.
– After the war, the artist returned to France, settled in Aix and painted landscapes, the style of which can be called a synthesis of several modernist and avant-garde techniques of visual art.
1896
1912
1920
1924
1930
1934
1936
1938
1941
1945
1948
1954
1958
1960
1962
1976
1987
1987
He was born in France, but grew up in Belgium
He studied the technique of fresco painting
He studied the technique of fresco painting from Paul Baudouin at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Made a trip to Italy and Switzerland. As an infantry soldier in World War I, he was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Somme.
Arrived in Paris
Arrived in Paris with his first wife Odette Cabale. During the next several years, he made friends with artists and writers, and became interested in Cubism. His studio became a meeting place for a group of young writers and avant-garde artists.
The first solo show
The first solo show took place at the Galerie Simon in Paris. He met with A. Breton and J. Miro. A year later, the artist’s works were included in the exhibition at Galerie Pierre. Soon, Galerie Surrealiste was opened, where paintings of A. Masson were presented. The artist developed a technique with the use of sand.
He became friends with A. Matisse
After the break with Breton, which turned out to be temporary, Masson’s exhibitions were held at the Surindependents and Gallery of Living Art (New York, the USA). Soon he became friends with A. Matisse.
Created a series of works, depicting Spain
Created a series of works, depicting Spain. The personal opening day was organized by Galerie Simon. Settled in Tossa de Mar, married Rose Macles; their son Diego was born soon.
He exhibited 14 works at the International Surrealist Exhibition in Londonпонировал 14 работ на Международной выставке сюрреалистов в Лондоне
After the renewal of his friendship with Breton, he exhibited 14 works at the International Surrealist Exhibition in London. His son Louis was born. In connection with the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, he returned with his family to France.
The beginning of the second surrealistic period
The beginning of the second surrealistic period. He participated in the International Exhibition of Surrealists in Paris. The works of the artist were included in the International Exhibition, held in Mexico City at the beginning of 1940.
He went to America
Saving his family, he went to America. Five nude drawings were destroyed by US customs because of their obscenity. He lived first in New York, then moved to Connecticut. The following year, his works were included in the exhibition of Surrealists, organized by Breton and Duchamp.
The artist’s exhibitions were held at the galleries of Whitney and Bucholz
The artist’s exhibitions were held at the galleries of Whitney and Bucholz. The artist returned to France where his personal exhibition was soon held at the Palais des Beaux Arts.
The presentation at the Louise Leiris Gallery
The presentation at the Louise Leiris Gallery was successful, but the Terre Erotic exhibition (1949, Place Vendome) was closed by the police. The grand opening day “Andre Masson and Alberto Giacometti” was held in the Kunsthalle of Basel in 1950; after that, the artist visited Venice; two years later, he went to Rome.
Exhibited 6 works at the Venice Biennale
Exhibited 6 works at the Venice Biennale, where he was awarded the Grand Prix. The following year, a retrospective was held at the Leicester Gallery in London.
A retrospective exhibition of the artist’s engravings
A retrospective exhibition of the artist’s engravings was organized in Vienna; a personal exhibition of the artist was held at the Saidenberg gallery, New York. More than 30 paintings were presented at the Venice Biennale. Large exhibitions were held in London and at the Gallery Edgardo Acosto, Beverly Hills, a year later they were held at the Bussola Gallery, Turin.
A personal exhibition of the artist was held at the gallery "Svensk-Franska" in Stockholm
A personal exhibition of the artist was held at the gallery “Svensk-Franska” in Stockholm; the artist participated in the International exhibition of Surrealists in New York. A year later, Masson was arrested for the activity connected with the fight for the independence of Algeria.
He actively exhibited in Europe
After the solo exhibition in Marlborough Fine Art (London), he actively exhibited in Europe: at the gallery Gerard Kramer, Geneva, 1963; at the Academy of Sciences Kunst, Berlin, 1964; at the Museum of National Art, Paris, 1965; at Galleria Schwarz, Milan, 1970.
A retrospective exhibition of the artist was held at MOMA
A retrospective exhibition of the artist was held at MOMA, New York, then in Houston and Paris. Later, the first retrospective of his drawings was organized at the Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. His anthology “Le rebelle du surrealisme” was issued. In connection with his disease, he could not work from 1980.
he last lifetime retrospective exhibition
The last lifetime retrospective exhibition of the master was held at the London Gallery Hayward, in the same year when the artist died.
The death of the artist
He died on October 28, 1987 in Paris, France.