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Albert Marquet was a French painter who is considered one of the co-founders of Fauvism. Often his paintings showed landscapes from the viewpoint of a window. His close friend Henri Matisse compared Marquet's works with those of the Japanese painter Hokusai. Marquet was born in Bordeaux. At the age of 15, he left his hometown to study art in Paris at the École des Arts Decoratifs. There he met Henri Matisse, with whom he shared a deep friendship throughout his life. The two artists influenced each other's work and were even roommates for several years. After 3 years, Marquet moved to the École des Beaux-Arts, where he was a student of Gustave Moreau.
Together with his friends Matisse, Raoul Dufy and some other painters, he exhibited his early works at the Salon d'Automne in 1905. These paintings were characterized by strong and very bright colors that were in total contrast to realism and academic styles. The exhibition caused a great stir and consternation among art critics. It was at this exhibition that the term "Les Fauves" was coined, and later Fauvism, derived from the French for "The Savages." But Marquet was much more moderate compared to his colleagues, using less intense tones, as well as complementary colors. In his later works, Marquet increasingly turned to a more naturalistic style. He preferred to paint landscapes, as well as some portraits and female nudes. Towards the end of 1907, Marquet produced a series of city views together with Matisse. The two artists often had frank conversations about each other's work and enjoyed exchanging ideas.
Beginning in 1907, Marquet made repeated trips abroad, visiting many coastal cities in France, Holland, Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, Russia, and North Africa. He made many paintings of the coasts and the lively hustle and bustle in the cities. His fascination with the reflections of light on the water was particularly evident in his works. Of the European cities he visited, he was particularly impressed by Venice and Naples. In North Africa, he was particularly taken with the city of Algiers and Tunisia. He spent a total of 5 years in Algiers. There he painted, among other things, "Le port d'Alger dans la brume". This was the last trip before he returned permanently to Paris. Influenced by his countless travels, the painter of small stature had developed a style all his own from 1910 onwards, which he stuck to until his death, hardly changing it at all. Marquet died unexpectedly of gallbladder cancer only two years after his return.
Albert Marquet was a French painter who is considered one of the co-founders of Fauvism. Often his paintings showed landscapes from the viewpoint of a window. His close friend Henri Matisse compared Marquet's works with those of the Japanese painter Hokusai. Marquet was born in Bordeaux. At the age of 15, he left his hometown to study art in Paris at the École des Arts Decoratifs. There he met Henri Matisse, with whom he shared a deep friendship throughout his life. The two artists influenced each other's work and were even roommates for several years. After 3 years, Marquet moved to the École des Beaux-Arts, where he was a student of Gustave Moreau.
Together with his friends Matisse, Raoul Dufy and some other painters, he exhibited his early works at the Salon d'Automne in 1905. These paintings were characterized by strong and very bright colors that were in total contrast to realism and academic styles. The exhibition caused a great stir and consternation among art critics. It was at this exhibition that the term "Les Fauves" was coined, and later Fauvism, derived from the French for "The Savages." But Marquet was much more moderate compared to his colleagues, using less intense tones, as well as complementary colors. In his later works, Marquet increasingly turned to a more naturalistic style. He preferred to paint landscapes, as well as some portraits and female nudes. Towards the end of 1907, Marquet produced a series of city views together with Matisse. The two artists often had frank conversations about each other's work and enjoyed exchanging ideas.
Beginning in 1907, Marquet made repeated trips abroad, visiting many coastal cities in France, Holland, Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, Russia, and North Africa. He made many paintings of the coasts and the lively hustle and bustle in the cities. His fascination with the reflections of light on the water was particularly evident in his works. Of the European cities he visited, he was particularly impressed by Venice and Naples. In North Africa, he was particularly taken with the city of Algiers and Tunisia. He spent a total of 5 years in Algiers. There he painted, among other things, "Le port d'Alger dans la brume". This was the last trip before he returned permanently to Paris. Influenced by his countless travels, the painter of small stature had developed a style all his own from 1910 onwards, which he stuck to until his death, hardly changing it at all. Marquet died unexpectedly of gallbladder cancer only two years after his return.