Andre Derain (Derain, Andre)

(1880-1954)
Born June 10, 1880 in Chatou-sur-Seine near Paris. He studied at the E. Carriera (1898-1899), and then began to engage themselves in painting, drawing inspiration from the works of his friend, Maurice Vlaminck, and later by Henri Matisse, who had a tremendous influence on the young artist. Derain paintings first attracted the attention of the audience at the Salon d'Automne 1905; they master used sharp intense colors and bold design synthesis, and these qualities of his work brought him with Fauvism (the name of the direction 'Fauvism' comes from the French,
. les fauves, 'wild'). Completed his views of London and the Thames (1906) demonstrate understanding of color and pattern inherent Fauvism, and a complete rejection of Impressionism. Later hobby painting by Cezanne prompted Derain to experiments in the field of constructing pictorial space, partly akin to the early cubistic compositions by Pablo Picasso. In the 1920's in landscapes, still lifes and portraits Derain developed his own style, which brought him fame as one of the leading contemporary artists. Despite the fact that he often turned to the works of his predecessors, his best works are deeply individual. Derain died in Garchay near Paris September 10, 1954.