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Felix Labisse Art

French, 1905-1982

Félix Labisse was a self-taught painter, illustrator and theater designer born in Douai, a small commune in France close to the Belgian border. In Douai, Labisse studied at the Collège Saint Jean and later enrolled at the École de Pêche in Ostend, a city on the Belgian coast. Labisse was closely associated with the Expressionist painter James Ensor, whom he met on a visit to Ostend in 1922. Subsequently, Labisse’s early works are anchored in Flemish Expressionism under the influence of Ensor. In his later works, Labisse developed his own aesthetic, exploring the boundaries between fantasy, ritual, magic and eroticism. He experimented with perspective and used motifs such as naked women and hybrid beasts in fantastical settings. Labisse also met the filmmaker Henri Storck, and they founded the Club du Cinéma d’Ostende, which disseminated avant-garde films by Man Ray, Carl Dreyer and Fritz Lang.

Beginning in 1927, Labisse divided his time between Paris and Ostend, becoming a major French painter. His first exhibition, which gained him critical acclaim, took place at the Ostend Gallery of Modern Art in July 1928. In 1933, Labisse settled in Paris and produced the set and costumes for Autour d’une Mère at the Théâtre de l’Atelier. In Paris, he became part of the Surrealist milieu, meeting André Masson, Max Ernst, Raymond Queneau, René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. It was in 1938 that Labisse fully established his career as a painter after his exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. In 1947, the French filmmaker Alain Resnaise created a short film starring Labisse in his studio titled Visite à Félix. Labisse was also a successful illustrator, producing drawings for the books Le Bain avec Andromède (1944) and Histoire Naturelle (1948) by Robert Desnos. His subjects included creatures such as the cyclops and the medieval French Guivre — a serpentine creature.

By 1951, Labisse moved to Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he would later die. Closely linked to Surrealism — a movement to which he never completely adhered too — Labisse is perhaps most recognized for his 1960s series of austere, blue goddess-like women. Interestingly, his political differences estranged him from the writer André Breton, a communist who was the founder of Surrealism and author of the Surrealist Manifesto. Remaining on the sidelines of Breton’s movement, Labisse continued to explore the limits of his imagination through painting. In 1957, Labisse published his Le Sorcier des Familles: Almanach Fatidique, featuring texts and illustrations in the layout of a calendar. He earned the respect of Breton, who wrote to him: "Beyond what may have sometimes divided us, let me tell you that I greatly appreciate your Sorcier des Familles […] This is a surrealist book, as I see it. My warmest compliments."

Labisse had his first retrospective in July 1960 at Knokke Casino in Belgium, where he exhibited 105 paintings. In 1966, he was elected a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in France, and in 1974, he became a member of the jury at the Cannes festival. Labisse maintained a lifelong friendship with Ensor that is immortalized in the painting Bonjour M. Ensor (1964).

(Biography provided by Stern Pissarro Gallery)

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Artist: Felix Labisse
Composition, Variations sur l'imaginaire, Félix Labisse
By Felix Labisse
Located in Auburn Hills, MI
Lithograph on vélin de Rives paper. Inscription: hand signed and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Variations sur l'imaginaire, 1972. Published by Philipp...
Category

1970s Surrealist Felix Labisse Art

Materials

Lithograph

1980 Felix Labisse 'L'Horloge (The Clock)' Surrealism, France
By Felix Labisse
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paper Size: 24.5 x 17.5 inches ( 62.23 x 44.45 cm ) Image Size: 15.25 x 10.25 inches ( 38.735 x 26.035 cm ) Framed: No Condition: B-: Good Condition, Signs of Handling and Age ...
Category

1980s Contemporary Felix Labisse Art

Materials

Lithograph

Three Nudes - Original handsigned lithograph - 100 ex (Mourlot)
By Felix Labisse
Located in Paris, IDF
Felix LABISSE Three Nudes Original lithograph Handsigned Numbered / 100 ex On vellum 70 x 50 cm (c. 28 x 20 inch) Excellent condition
Category

1970s Modern Felix Labisse Art

Materials

Lithograph

Fly - Original Serigraph by Félix Labisse - 1970s
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Fly is a colored serigraph on paper realized by the French artist Félix Labisse. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right margin. Numbered in pencil on the lower left margin. Editio...
Category

1970s Modern Felix Labisse Art

Materials

Screen

Mantis Religiosa - Original Screen Print by Félix Labisse - 1970s
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Mantis religiosa is a colored screen print on paper realized by the French artist Félix Labisse. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right margin. Numbered in pencil on the lower le...
Category

1970s Contemporary Felix Labisse Art

Materials

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Stellar Composition - Screen Print y Félix Labisse - 1970s
By Felix Labisse
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Stellar Composition is a colored serigraph on paper realized by the French artist Félix Labisse. Hand-signed in pencil on lower right margin. Numbered in pencil and in Roman numerals on lower left margin. This is an artist's proof on a edition of 16 prints, on a total edition of 100 pieces. In very good conditions, this original print is glued on a white cardboard passepartout, cm 69.6 x 50. Félix Labisse (Douai 1905 - Paris 1982) The French painter, illustrator and scenographer (especially for J.-L. Barrault), Fèlix Labisse settled in Paris in 1933, after a period spent in Ostend during which he was in close contact with J. Ensor and supported by R Desnos. His works, influenced by surrealism, show a dreamlike and fantastic atmosphere of magical metamorphosis. In June 1951 he created the sets for Jean-Paul Sartre's play "Il diavolo e il buon Dio", staged by Louis Jouvet. During this time he spends his time between Paris and Knokke Le Zoute...
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1970s Contemporary Felix Labisse Art

Materials

Screen

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Felix Labisse art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Felix Labisse art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Felix Labisse in lithograph, screen print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Felix Labisse art, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jacques Beltrand, Pierre Quentin Chedel, and Charles Courtry. Felix Labisse art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $77 and tops out at $334, while the average work can sell for $285.

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