#labellepoque

Georges Braque is a French painter, graphic artist, set designer, sculptor and decorator. In 1907, after visiting the workshop of Pablo Picasso, Braque abruptly changed his artistic manner, striving for more laconicism in pictorials and geometrization of objects. He is considered a co-founder of Cubism along with Picasso.

Between 1909 - 1912 Braque collaborated with Picasso on theorizing the foundations of Cubism. At that time, while Picasso was influenced by Gauguin, African tribal masks and Iberian sculptures, Braque experimented digging into Cézanne's idea - with a multitude of perspective points of view.

Braque's paintings in 1908 - 1913 reflect his then interest in geometry and perspective, intensively studying the effects of light and perspective. In his painting "Houses in Estaque" (fr. Maisons à l'Estaque, 1908), Braque brings the architectural structure into a geometric shape close to a cube. He further rendered the shading so that it looks flat but three-dimensional. Thus, Braque drew attention to the very nature of visual illusions and artistic representation.

When we think of Cubism, the first name that comes to mind is Pablo Picasso. On the internet, in blogs and in most articles, related one way or another to Cubism, Georges Braque is only rarely mentioned (if mentioned at all) as a co-founder of Cubism

There are few articles on Braque's contribution to the foundation of this revolutionary art style, about how he and Picasso challenged and influenced each other's work. Let's uncover the relationship between the reserved Frenchman and the explosive Spaniard.

Georges Braque showed up at Pablo Picasso's studio in the spring of 1907 to see the acclaimed "Maidens of Avignon" painting. Braque, a Fauvist himself, was a member of this rebellious art movement who made a lot of noise in Paris since a couple of years

What he saw that day in Picasso's workshop was something beyond his imagination: frank, deliberate, impudent "irregularity" of the Avignon Maidens, simplified forms, broken figures and distorted proportions stunned Braque. This was the debut of a friendship with this strange Spaniard that Braque desired at all costs.

Over the course of next months, the works of Picasso and Braque greatly mutually influenced laid the foundation and gradually crystallized the new style changed forever the world of art.

Their unique union perfectly synergized two personalities, two minds, two creative energies.

The main idea of ​​Cubism was the rejection of the traditional belief that art should serve as an imitation of reality. This stylistic path was already paved before with form experiments by Paul Cézanne, whom Braque and Picasso worshipped.

Despite some visual similarities in their works, two artists focused on different objects and pursued different directions. Picasso tried to get away from representativeness, Braque experimented with materials, textures, manipulations with light and space.

If Braque strove to ensure a sense of balance and harmony preserved in his paintings, Picasso, on the contrary, dare to break this harmony and balance.

Albert Marquet is a French artist. He was specialized in nude and landscape paintings. "La femme blonde" – is one of his nude paintings.

The artist studied and practised a lot. He kept a simple testament from his teacher Gustave Moreau: "Look for inspiration not only in the museums but also from streets!". Thus Marquet was often painting street scenes - in Paris, Naples, Le Havre, Saint-Tropez throughout his creative life.

Albert was a longtime friend and influenced by Matisse. He painted in rather a simple, slightly restrained colour manner without "unnecessary" textures, photographic details, and trifles. This was probably due to his poor eyesight. Artist used to paint from the upper windows of apartments, which allowed him to do it calmly and without unnecessary witnesses. 

Born in 1875 in Bordeaux Albert Marquet moved to Paris in 1890 to study at École des Arts Decoratifs, where he first encountered Henri Matisse. At that time they were roommates and influenced each other's work.

In 1892 Marquet studied at the School of Fine Arts under Gustave Moreau, a Symbolist painter who followed the romantic tradition of Eugene Delacroix.

Marquet started to exhibit his paintings at different Salons. Although he did not sell many paintings, the art community in Paris started to become aware of his works. His early compositions were characterized by a clear and painterly Fauvist approach, in which he perfectly controlled drawing and reacted to light, not only intensifying the strongest tones but also considering the weaker ones in colouristic terms.

In 1905, he exhibited at the Salon d'Automne, along with Henri Matisse, Maurice de Vlaminck, André Derain, Othon Fries, Georges Rouault, Raoul Dufy, Henri Mangin, Georges Braque, Louis Valt, Georges Dufrenois and Jean Puy.

Because of the "strange" bright colours of these paintings, critics reacted by calling the artists "Fauves", which is, wild beasts in French.

Although Marquet painted with Fauves for years, he used less bright and harsh colours than others and emphasized less intense tones created by mixing additional elements.

Subsequently, Marquet painted in a more naturalistic style, primarily landscapes. From 1910 to 1914 - he painted several nude paintings.

He was Matisse's lifelong friend.

A wonderful Post-Impressionism style landscape painting "Fecamp" (Beach at Sainte-Adresse), created by Albert Marquet in 1906.

Some of his artworks are in the Museum of modern art André Malraux MuMa in Le Havre, France.

https://www.labelleepoq.com/post/albert-marquet-the-story-of-the-day-by-la-belle-epoq

🧐 Automobiles Ettore Bugatti came to fame in the 1920s with the Bugatti Type 35, generally acknowledged as the most successful racing car 🏎 of all time🏆.

In 1926 Ettore and his son Jean decided to build a half-scale Type 35 for Ettore's youngest son, Roland, on the occasion of his 4th birthday. As a tribute to his artist 🎨 brother Rembrandt Bugatti who committed suicide in 1916, the pair also took his “Trained Elephant“ sculpture as the mascot for the most beautiful car in the world, the Bugatti Royale of 1926.

🎼 Diaghilev’s vibrant Russo-Oriental presentations rocked the artistic sensibilities of Paris. These were the radiantly voluptuous fantasies that changed not only the course of ballet but made a huge impact on Music & Arts 🎨.

After their initial appearances during these ballet representations, their special brand of fantasy, rich Eastern colours & exotic flavour became le dernier cri 💃 in woman’s fashion and interior design.

Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec ~ At the Moulin Rouge ~ The Dance

The Bar at Maxim's ~ @Pierre-Victor Galland