Albert Marquet

La fenêtre à Méricourt

1937

Albert Marquet was born in Bordeaux in 1875. He studied at the School of Decorative Arts in Paris from 1890-1894, where he became friends with Henri Matisse. He continued his studies at the School of Fine Arts in the studio of Gustave Moreau, from 1895-1898. Albert Marquet paints landscapes and post-impressionist nudes that become more and more colourful and simplified; he expresses himself - following the example of Matisse - in pure tones. At the beginning of the century Modern artist Marquet exhibits in the Parisian Salons (the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d’Automne) and takes part in numerous art events organised abroad (Russia, the United States, etc.). Marquet meets Dufy and Camoin. He is present at the famous ‘Cage aux Fauves’, that makes a scandal at the Salon d’Automne in 1905; at this time he paints canvases with forms surrounded by black, representing portraits, the Normandy beaches or animated scenes. The artist represents the Seine, often views seen from above and creates variations of themes by changing the time of day and using different lighting. His first solo exhibition is organized in 1907 at the Druet Gallery in Paris. At the beginning of the 1910’s, Marquet paints a series of realistic female nudes. He is unfit for military service in 1914. From the 1920’s until the 1940’s, Albert Marquet takes numerous trips to Europe and Africa that are for him, sources of inspiration in his art, a means for the man to see and learn about other cultures. Albert Marquet’s theme of predilection is his landscapes close to the water (the sea, lake, or river), landscapes that he treats using soft tones that are dominantly grey. Albert Marquet, a sensitive man often well-liked for his modesty, died in 1947 in Paris.