Here are some famous André Derain quotes from the famed Fauvist artist himself.
Who was André Derain?
André Derain (1880-1954) was a French painter, sculptor, and co-founder of the Fauvism movement. Born in Chatou, France, Derain studied painting in Paris and was heavily influenced by the work of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne.
In 1905, Derain and fellow artist Henri Matisse exhibited their paintings at the Salon d’Automne, where they were labeled “Les Fauves” (the wild beasts) due to their bold use of color and expressive brushwork. This exhibition marked the birth of the Fauvism movement, which aimed to break away from traditional painting techniques and celebrate color and emotion.
Derain’s work during this period often depicted landscapes and urban scenes, featuring bold brushstrokes and vivid colors. He also experimented with other art forms, such as printmaking and sculpture.
After World War I, Derain’s style shifted towards a more classical and traditional approach, and he became known for his portraits and still-life paintings. He also worked as a set designer for ballet and theater, collaborating with the Ballets Russes and other companies.
Derain continued to paint and exhibit his work throughout his life, and the French government awarded him the Legion of Honor in 1948. He died in Garches, France, in 1954 at 74.
Today, Derain is recognized as one of the leading figures of the Fauvism movement and is celebrated for his bold use of color and expressive brushwork. His work continues to influence and inspire artists around the world.
André Derain’s Contribution to Art History
André Derain was a significant figure in the development of modern art in the early 20th century. His contribution to art history can be seen in his co-founding of the Fauvism movement, his innovative use of color and form, and his exploration of different media and art forms.
Along with Henri Matisse, Derain was one of the key figures of Fauvism, which emerged in France in 1905. Fauvism was characterized by its bold use of color, loose brushwork, and expressive style, which marked a departure from traditional painting techniques. Derain’s paintings during this period, such as his landscapes and urban scenes, were notable for their vivid colors and dynamic compositions.
Derain also experimented with different media and art forms, including printmaking and sculpture. His woodcut prints were characterized by their bold, graphic lines and simplified forms, while his sculptures reflected his interest in classical art and traditional techniques.
After World War I, Derain’s style shifted towards a more classical approach, and he became known for his portraits and still-life paintings. However, he continued to explore different art forms and media, and he worked as a set designer for ballet and theater, collaborating with companies such as the Ballets Russes.
Overall, Derain’s contribution to art history lies in his co-founding of the Fauvism movement, his innovative use of color and form, and his exploration of different media and art forms. His influence can be seen in the work of subsequent artists, and his legacy continues to be celebrated and studied today.
André Derain Quotes
- “The essence of painting is to evoke emotion.”
- “A picture is not thought out and settled beforehand. While it is being done, it changes as one’s thoughts change. And when it’s finished, it goes on changing, according to the state of mind of whoever is looking at it.”
- “Nature has more depth than surface, hence the need to introduce into our light vibrations represented by the reds and yellows, a sufficient amount of blue to give depth.”
- “In art, one idea is as good as another. If one takes the idea of trembling, for instance, all of a sudden most art starts to tremble. Michelangelo starts to tremble. El Greco starts to tremble. All the Impressionists start to tremble.”
- “Painting is the most beautiful of all arts. In it, all sensations are condensed, at its aspect everyone may create romance at the will of his imagination, and at a glance have his soul invaded by the most profound memories, no efforts of memory, everything summed up in one moment.”
- “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
- “Colour is a means of expression which seems to me tied to the essence of painting. As pure sound is in music, colour is in painting.”
- “The moment one gives a close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
- “The painter who draws merely by practice and by eye, without any reason, is like a mirror which copies every thing placed in front of it without being conscious of their existence.”
- “I don’t think there is such a thing as decorative art. That is a purely French conception. Our craftsmen don’t need to disguise themselves as artists. They are artists.”