Françoise Gilot studied English Literature at Cambridge University, and then, encouraged by her father, studied international law, though she secretly also took art lessons at the same time.
In 1943, during her first exhibition in Paris, Gilot (then 21) met Pablo Picasso (who was 61) for the first time. In 1946, Gilot started a 10-year relationship with him and had two of his children, Claude and Paloma.
As a result of her relationship with Picasso, Gilot became both a witness and a participant in one of the last great periods of the modern art movement in Europe. Their circle included poets, philosophers, writers, and many of the legends of the art world, such as Braque, Chagall, Cocteau and Matisse.
In 1953, Gilot left Picasso and the home they shared in Vallauris and moved back to Paris.
"Lithographs are printed from stones and each stone is an echo of my artistic voice," said Gilot. "Many artists use their art as a personal catharsis. I have never done that. I am more intellectual. Each artistic process — oils, lithographs, monotypes — allows me a different freedom and suits a different mood."
While Gilot did her first lithograph in 1950 at the Mourlot Atelier, the same studio used by Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró and Jean Dubuffet, it was in the 1970s that she really began to experiment with the process.
"In the beginning, I turned to lithography because I wanted to show off my technical skills. Now I am more interested in color," said Gilot. "I also thought that lithographs would make my works more accessible to young collectors."
Gilot’s work can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, the Musée Picasso and other institutions.
Find original Françoise Gilot prints, watercolor paintings and other art on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Lions Gallery)
$65,000
In a Yellow Key, Original Oil Painting by Important Female Artist, Picasso
By Françoise Gilot
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Austin Christian Fine Art is proud to represent this piece by what we believe to be one of the most important women artists of the 20th century. In addition to establishing a relatio...
Canvas, Oil
Vers la Clairière
By Françoise Gilot
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed lower right with the monogram Probably titled in the artist's hand on the back on the stretcher with archive number EXHIBITIONS Budapest, Var Fok Gallery. Pecs, Françoise Gil...
Oil
$1,275
H 25 in W 29 in D 2 in
Antique American Modernist New York City Skyline Framed Cityscape Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist cityscape oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Signed. Measuring: 29 by 25 inches overall, and 20 by 24 painting alone. In excellent original condition. ...
Canvas, Oil
$695
H 24 in W 16 in D 2 in
Alfred Statler Signed Vintage American Modernist Circus Trapeze Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist circus interior oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Measuring: 24 by 16 inches overall. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enjoy.
Oil, Canvas
20th Century School, Abstract Composition, Post-Cubism
Located in NANTES, FR
Geometric abstract composition, influenced by Post-Cubism, with an expressionist touch in the colors. The palette is vivid and saturated. The forms, outlined in black, interlock with...
Oil
$900
H 22.44 in W 26 in D 2 in
The Blue Trees, Oil on Canvas Painting by Claude Richard Mazier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming 1950s modernist oil on canvas by Claude Richard Mazier (France, 1926–2011), this composition captures a poetic village scene where architecture and nature merge into a dre...
Canvas, Oil
An Abstract Geometric "Men of Matthew"
Located in San Francisco, CA
It’s time to bury the so-last-century idea that folks are either "right-brained,” i.e., naturally creative, or (boringly) "left-brained," always operating logically. And here’s just ...
Masonite, Oil
$27,000
H 60 in W 60 in D 2 in
"Orange Colors" by Rehfeld - Large Abstract Geometric in Orange and Yellow
By Steven H. Rehfeld
Located in Carmel, CA
Steven H. Rehfeld (American, born 1954) "Orange Colors" 2018 Oil paint, Paper, Glue, Canvas, Stretcher bars The artist signed the back of the painting. In "Orange Colors," Rehfeld o...
Canvas, Oil, Paper, Glue, Stretcher Bars
$2,475
H 24 in W 28 in D 2 in
Antique Modernist Coastal Seascape Framed Fauvist Large Signed Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique modernist landscape painting by Jan Matulka (1890 - 1972). Watercolor on paper. Signed. Framed. Measuring 24 by 28 inches overall and 15.5 by 19.5 painting alone.
Canvas, Oil
Geometric Abstract
Located in Buffalo, NY
A mid century modernist oil painting. No signature found. Circa 1960. Image size, 48"L x 32"H
Canvas, Oil
Vintage American Geometric Abstract Framed Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Measuring: 25 by 25 inches overall and 24 x 24 painting alone. Framed in a wood molding....
Canvas, Oil
$65,000
H 21 in W 25 in D 2 in
WPA American Scene Modernism 20th Century NYC Industrial "Cellar with Horseshoe"
By Joseph Solman
Located in New York, NY
"Cellar with Horseshoe" WPA American Scene Modernism 20th Century NYC Industrial Joseph Solman (1909-2008) "Cellar with Horseshoe" 16 x 20 inches, c. 1938 Oil on canvas Initialed "...
Canvas, Oil
$1,050
H 20.25 in W 23.25 in
Two Figures in a Modernist Village, Signed Original Swedish Oil Painting, Framed
Located in Portland, OR
Tranquil original oil painting–by noted Swedish artist Fabian Lunqvist–of a Spanish village rendered in varying tones of white and gray. The striking Modernist composition and palett...
Oil
Vintage American Geometric Abstract Framed Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American abstract oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Measuring: 19 by 25 inches overall and 18 x 24 painting alone. Framed in a wood molding. ...
Canvas, Oil
Gondolas in Venice
By Françoise Gilot
Located in Astoria, NY
Francoise Gilot (French, 1921-2023), Gondolas in Venice, Gouache on Arches Paper, signed lower left, blindstamped "Veritable Papier d' Arches" lower right, with paper label to revers...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
African Violets
By Françoise Gilot
Located in Miami, FL
African Violets, Ink and gouache on heavy paper, Post Cubist Still life. Signature: Signed F. Gilot lower left., Work is frame in a gilt fame
Gouache
Lion at Delos
By Françoise Gilot
Located in Miami, FL
Lion at Delos This Work is accompanied by an autographed invitation to an exhibition and reception for Francoise Gilot. Also a document from the gallery Colors very fresh and saturat...
Oil