Born in 1896 in Balagny-sur- Thérain, a small village in France, André Masson spent most of his youth in Brussels, Belgium working as a pattern maker at an embroidery atelier. Masson began his schooling in 1907 at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. In 1912, he relocated to Paris, where he attended the École des Beaux-Arts. In 1914, the artist was called to military duty for the First World War, where he was severely wounded and sent back to Paris. Much of Masson’s work is influenced by this trauma; his drawings and paintings executed during the 1920s represent battle scenes, blood, death, birds and fish. The strange realities of trench warfare and the immediate contiguity of life and death are drawn upon, and his imagery suggests a confrontation of life at an abnormal level of experience. His signature style deals with violence, evident in terrifying, fragmented figures, which reflect the horrors of the Spanish Civil War and WWII, as well as his troubled psyche in the aftermath of his service in WWI.
After WWI, Masson moved to the South of France, where he met Juan Gris, André Derain, Joan Miró and André Breton. Breton championed the Surrealist Manifesto and Masson joined in the group exhibition of the first Surrealists. An iconoclast, whose abrupt stylistic transitions defy classification, Masson also explored automatism (automatic drawing), a process that sought to express the creative force of the unconscious. These automatic drawings had no preconceived subject or composition. Like a medium channeling a spirit, Masson let his pen travel rapidly across the paper without conscious control. He soon found hints of images, fragmented bodies and objects, emerging from the abstract, lacelike web of pen marks. At times, Masson elaborated on these with conscious changes or additions, but he left the traces of the rapidly drawn ink mostly intact. Masson’s oeuvre explores several techniques of painting, drawing and sculpture and displays rich, colorful abstraction as well as monochrome imagery and automatic linear representations. An early Surrealist and student of Cubism, Masson went on to inspire the New York Abstract Expressionists. Masson developed a technique of automatic painting that retained the element of chance; he dripped glue onto paper to form drawings and then covered it with sand. These ‘sand paintings’ are unquestionably his most iconic style.
When Masson emigrated to the U.S. in 1939, he strongly influenced several American painters with this technique, the most evident example being Jackson Pollack. After his time in America, he returned to Europe and while living in Spain during the mid-1930s, he became enraptured with Spanish themes—bullfights, matadors and Spanish mythology. Masson finally settled down in France (Aix-en-Provence), where he took up a late interest in impressionistic landscape, but he ultimately came to a place where he painted nearly exclusively abstract images. Masson dedicated his life as an artist to encouraging the non-rational purpose in art, to the direct transference of subconscious thought and to the primal forces of conflicts that he experienced in the trenches of World War One. Masson sought to convey in his work a deeper reality of man’s behavior, his own complex personal imagery, and his belief that painting is not a matter of developing style but a part of life itself.
Les Insectes - Cubist Oil Painting by Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed, titled and dated cubist oil on canvas by French painter Andre Masson. The work depicts colourful insects. Signature: Signed lower right and titled and dated 1946 verso Dim...
Canvas, Oil
$950
Viviane French Original Surrealist Lithograph signed and numbered Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Surfside, FL
His early works display an interest in cubism. He later became associated with surrealism, and he was one of the most enthusiastic employers of automatic drawing, making a number of ...
Lithograph
French Abstract Surrealist Vintage Lithograph Mourlot Poster Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Surfside, FL
André-Aimé-René Masson (4 January 1896 – 28 October 1987) was a French artist. Masson was born in Balagny-sur-Thérain, Oise, but when he was eight his father's work took the family ...
Lithograph
$220Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.5 in W 14 in
Boy and Puppy Lithograph, Surrealist Style, Mid-20th Century, Unframed
Located in Belgrade, MT
Madeline Luka (French 1894-1989) was a self taught painter known for her landscapes, portraits, nudes and still lifes. She typically portrayed her family and close friends set within...
Lithograph
$1,000
H 23.5 in W 19.25 in
Zhenpeng Zhou Animal Original Oil On Canvas "One Eye of Zebra"
By Zhenpeng Zhou
Located in New York, NY
Title: One Eye of Zebra Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 23.5 x 19.25 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: Th...
Canvas, Oil
$3,200
H 24 in W 28 in
Night Crossing - Model Pirate Ship and Constellations, Oil on Panel
By John Hrehov
Located in Chicago, IL
A model pirate ship dominates the geometric backdrop of this perplexing painting titled, "Night Crossing." Constellations painted on the tiled surface suggest the ship is headed on a journey to be guided by star-filled sky above. Notions of voyage and conquest come to mind, but the boat is moored to its wooden base, dashing any hopes for adventure. The painting is framed in a simple walnut stained wooden frame measuring 25.25 x 21.25 inches. John Hrehov Night Crossing, 2022 oil on canvas on panel 24h x 20w in 60.96h x 50.80w cm JHR009 John Hrehov Education 1985 MFA-Painting, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1981 BFA-Painting, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH. Solo Exhibitions 2017 John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Tom Thomas Gallery, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN. 2012 Shades from White to Black, New Drawings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2011 John Hrehov: Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. 2009 John Hrehov: A Survey 1999-2009 Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. Paintings and Drawings. Seerveld Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL. 2004 John Hrehov: Drawings and Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2002 Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2001 Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL. 2000 The Picture Proper. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. Fearful Symmetry. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. Allegories in Contemporary Life. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY. 1999 Paintings and Working Drawings. Adams Hall Gallery, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL. 1998 John Hrehov. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. John Hrehov: Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL. 1997 Object Lesson, Paintings, and Drawings by John Hrehov. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY. 1995 John Hrehov. Trinity Art Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL. 1993 John Hrehov: Selected Works 1980-1992 Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. Group Exhibitions 2019 2019 Alumni Exhibition. Reinberger Gallery at The Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH. Out Of The Closet. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 1026 West Berry Street: The Fort Wayne Art School. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. 2018 Artlink Regional Exhibition. Artlink Contemporary Art Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN. 2017 Sola Grace-Faith-Scripture: An Exhibition of Sacred Visual Art. Good Shepherd Institute at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. Norman Bradley...
Oil, Panel
$169
H 13.19 in W 20.08 in
Joan Miró Litografia Original VII – 1972 Color Lithograph, Spanish Edition
By Joan Miró
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Litografia Original VII by Joan Miró, a 1972 color lithograph from Litografo (Volume I, Spanish edition), catalogued as Mourlot 863. Published by Ediciones Poligrafa, Barcelona, with...
Handmade Paper, Lithograph
$2,500
H 21.75 in W 14.75 in
Yes, But Does It Float - Original Surreal Oil Painting with Symbolic Imagery
By Mark Bowers
Located in Chicago, IL
Mark Bowers Yes, But Does it Float oil on linen 21.75h x 14.75w in 55.24h x 37.47w cm MJB004 Mark Bowers- Artist Statement With the depiction of landscape playing such a central role in the history of North American art, it seemed to offer many of the critical possibilities I was looking for, and it felt more and more like something I have always known. Something I could easily apply, stage, and manipulate as a diary. My work consists of small-scale highly detailed landscape paintings. They are inspired by the comfort, trepidation, and beauty found in the mundane Chicago Suburbs. I combine nature, decorative house wares...
Linen, Oil
$1,200
H 9 in W 7 in
Nereid - Nude Female Figure with Elongated Limbs in Outstretched Yoga Pose
By Oliver Hazard Benson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nereid is a sea nymph, a female spirit of sea waters. She symbolizes everything that is beautiful and kind about the sea. Her melodious voice sing as she dances and twists on a sea ...
Acrylic, Panel
$1,425
H 32 in W 30 in
Paradise Mountain II - Abstract Color Drenched Landscape Painting on Canvas
By Maria C. Bernhardsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C Bernhardsson's original artworks are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Born in Sweden, Bernhardsson travels the world photographing and sketching houses ...
Canvas, Mixed Media
Dog Dream, Cattle Call
Located in Bozeman, MT
A wonderful painting by Annie Coe of a surreal landscape with a corgi dreaming of dancing cattle in the night sky. Vibrant colors and a masterful touch creat...
Canvas, Oil
$4,750
H 30.5 in W 36 in
Bighorn Sheep, 20th Century Oil Painting by Magical Surrealist, Cleveland School
By Paul Riba
Located in Beachwood, OH
Paul Riba (American, 1912-1977) Bighorn Sheep Oil on paper Signed lower right 25 x 30.5 inches 30.5 x 36 inches, framed Paul Riba was a painter of Magic Realism. He explored the un...
Oil
$3,800
H 18 in W 30 in
Dahlia Web - Surreal Field of Dahlias with a Spider Web, OIl on Panel
By John Hrehov
Located in Chicago, IL
A field of dahlias climb the surface of this surreal landscape titled "Dahlia Web". A spider has woven its web through the field in the hopes of attracting any flying passer-by. The painting is framed in a simple white wooden frame measuring 19.75 x 31.5 inches. John Hrehov Dahlia Web oil on linen 18h x 30w in 45.72h x 76.20w cm JHR014 John Hrehov Education 1985 MFA-Painting, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1981 BFA-Painting, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH. Solo Exhibitions 2017 John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Tom Thomas Gallery, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN. 2012 Shades from White to Black, New Drawings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2011 John Hrehov: Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. 2009 John Hrehov: A Survey 1999-2009 Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. Paintings and Drawings. Seerveld Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL. 2004 John Hrehov: Drawings and Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2002 Paintings. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 2001 Charcoal. Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL. 2000 The Picture Proper. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. Fearful Symmetry. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. Allegories in Contemporary Life. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY. 1999 Paintings and Working Drawings. Adams Hall Gallery, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL. 1998 John Hrehov. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. John Hrehov: Paintings and Drawings. Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL. 1997 Object Lesson, Paintings, and Drawings by John Hrehov. Yvonne Rapp Gallery, Louisville, KY. 1995 John Hrehov. Trinity Art Gallery, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL. 1993 John Hrehov: Selected Works 1980-1992 Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. Group Exhibitions 2019 2019 Alumni Exhibition. Reinberger Gallery at The Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH. Out Of The Closet. Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY. 1026 West Berry Street: The Fort Wayne Art School. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. 2018 Artlink Regional Exhibition. Artlink Contemporary Art Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN. 2017 Sola Grace-Faith-Scripture: An Exhibition of Sacred Visual Art. Good Shepherd Institute at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. Norman Bradley...
Oil, Panel
$62,000
H 50 in W 70 in
Hunt Slonem "Lady Gouldians (Australia)" Multicolor Birds on White Background
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Lady Gouldians (Australia)" Multicolor Birds on White Background A group of finches in red, yellow and green with branches on a white background Canvas 50 x 70 inches Un...
Canvas, Oil
$4,800
H 30 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Four Horses" Contemporary Naturalistic Equestrian Animal Painting of Horses
By Matthew Paoletti
Located in Houston, TX
Naturalistic animal painting by contemporary artist Matthew Paoletti. The work features a group of brown and tan horses running through an abstract gr...
Canvas, Oil
Nu - Cubist Nude Oil Painting by Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed oil on canvas nude figure circa 1946 by French painter Andre Masson. The work, painted in mostly greens and blues, depicts a front view of a seated nude woman. Signature: Si...
Canvas, Oil
Montagne après la pluie
By André Masson
Located in LE HAVRE, FR
André MASSON (1896-1987) Montagne après la pluie, 1951 Oil on canvas Size : 50 x 65cm Signed lower left Provenance : - Louise Leiris Gallery, Paris - The Mayor Gallery, London Pain...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 19.82 in W 25.82 in
Viviane French Original Surrealist Lithograph signed and numbered Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Surfside, FL
His early works display an interest in cubism. He later became associated with surrealism, and he was one of the most enthusiastic employers of automatic drawing, making a number of automatic works in pen and ink. Masson would often force himself to work under strict conditions, for example, after long periods of time without food or sleep, or under the influence of drugs. He believed forcing himself into a reduced state of consciousness would help his art be free from rational control, and hence get closer to the workings of his subconscious mind.[citation needed] Masson experimented with altered states of consciousness with artists such as Antonin Artaud, Michel Leiris, Joan Miró, Georges Bataille, Jean Dubuffet, and Georges Malkine, who were neighbors of his studio in Paris. From around 1926 he experimented by throwing sand and glue onto canvas and making oil paintings based around the shapes that formed. By the end of the 1920s, however, he was finding automatic drawing rather restricting, and he left the surrealist movement and turned instead to a more structured style, often producing works with a violent or erotic theme, and making a number of paintings in reaction to the Spanish Civil War (he associated once more with the surrealists at the end of the 1930s). Under the German occupation of France during World War II, his work was condemned by the Nazis as degenerate. With the assistance of Varian Fry in Marseille, Masson escaped the Nazi regime on a ship to the French island of Martinique from where he went on to the United States. Upon arrival in New York City, U.S. customs officials inspecting Masson's luggage found a cache of his erotic drawings. Denouncing them as pornographic, they ripped them up before the artist's eyes.[citation needed] Living in New Preston, Connecticut his work became an important influence on American abstract expressionists, such as Jackson Pollock. Following the war, he returned to France and settled in Aix-en-Provence where he painted a number of landscapes. Masson drew the cover of the first issue of Georges Bataille's review, Acéphale, in 1936, and participated in all its issues until 1939. His brother-in-law, the psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan...
Lithograph
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H 24.5 in W 19.5 in
French Abstract Surrealist Vintage Lithograph Mourlot Poster Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Surfside, FL
André-Aimé-René Masson (4 January 1896 – 28 October 1987) was a French artist. Masson was born in Balagny-sur-Thérain, Oise, but when he was eight his father's work took the family ...
Lithograph
Sold
H 19.82 in W 25.82 in
Viviane French Original Surrealist Lithograph signed and numbered Andre Masson
By André Masson
Located in Surfside, FL
His early works display an interest in cubism. He later became associated with surrealism, and he was one of the most enthusiastic employers of automatic drawing, making a number of ...
Lithograph