ALBERT MARQUET 1875-1947

Albert Marquet was born in Bordeaux in 1875. He studied at the School of Decorative Arts in Paris from 1890-1894, where he became friend with Henri Matisse. He continued his studies at the School of Fine Arts in Gustave Moreau’s studio, from 1895-1898. Albert Marquet painted landscapes and post-Impressionist nudes that became more and more colorful and simplified ; he expressed himself - following the example of Matisse - in pure tones.
At the beginning of the century, Albert Marquet exhibited in Parisian Salons (the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d'Automne) and took part in numerous art events abroad (Russia, United States, etc.).
Marquet met Dufy and Camoin. He participated in the famous « cage aux Fauves », that rose a scandal at the Salon d'Automne in 1905 ; at this time he painted canvases with forms encircled by black, producing portraits, Normandy beaches or animated scenes. The artist represented the Seine, often views seen from above and created variations of themes by changing the time of day and using different lighting. His first solo exhibition was organized in 1907 at the Druet Gallery in Paris.
At the beginning of the 1910's, Marquet painted a series of realistic female nudes. He was unfit for military service in 1914. From the 1920's until the 1940's, Albert Marquet took numerous trips to Europe and Africa which were for him a deep source of inspiration for his art.
Albert Marquet's favorite subject were his landscapes close to the water (sea, lake, or river), landscapes that he treated with soft tones with a dominant grey. Albert Marquet, a sensitive man often valued for his modesty, died in 1947 in Paris.