French artist who found a striking style of painting of his own after a short fascination with Fauvism and Cubism.

Raoul Dufy (June 3, 1877 – March 23, 1953) – a famous French artist of the first half of the twentieth century, an outstanding master of post-impressionism. Raoul Dufy became famous for painting in a unique style that combines elements of Fauvism and Cubism. Although at the beginning of his career he created a number of works in an impressionistic manner. The best masterpieces of this painter’s work are now kept in museums in France, Switzerland and the United States.

Raoul Dufy was a versatile creative person. In addition to painting, he spent many years creating prints, book illustrations, as well as designing fabrics, furniture and ceramics. The ingenious master left to his descendants a huge number of beautiful works of art, including more than 3,000 oil paintings, 6,000 watercolors and the same number of original drawings.

Biography of Raoul Dufy

Raoul Dufy was born on June 3, 1877 in the ancient port city of Le Havre, in a large family of an accountant of a metallurgical company. In order to feed eleven children, the father of the future artist, in his free time from his main job, worked as a musician at weddings. So Raul, who was the second oldest child in the family, dropped out of school at the age of fourteen and got a job as an assistant accountant in a commercial coffee company. At the same time, he began attending painting lessons at the local art academy. Soon he achieved notable success in his studies, creating many charming watercolor landscapes with views of his native Normandy.

In 1899, Raoul Dufy was drafted into the army, and after demobilization he moved to Paris with a strong desire to become a professional artist. Already in 1901, his works were first presented to the public at an art salon. And one of the works of the novice author, written in the style of impressionism, was even acquired by the famous artist Maurice Denis. But in 1905, at the autumn exhibition, Raoul saw several paintings by Henri Matisse, which made a huge impression on him. Under the influence of the work of an authoritative master of painting, Dufy became interested in Fauvism.

After graduating from the academy, the artist visited Rome, but a few months later he returned to his homeland and briefly settled in the town of Orgeville, where he met Andre Lot and Jean Marchand. Under the influence of new friends, elements of cubism appeared in his works. In 1911, together with Paul Poiret, he founded a small firm for the production of prints for fabrics. Subsequently, he created a huge number of ornaments and patterns for weaving. Then the artist married Nicoise Brisson. With her, he happily lived in marriage until his death.

In the early 1920s, Raul discovered another type of creativity – ceramic art.

In collaboration with the Spanish master Josep Artigas, he made more than two hundred objects from baked clay – vases, figurines and other decor. The unique style of painting of the master was finally formed, combining the features of impressionism, fauvism and cubism. In the mid-1920s, the artist and his wife traveled extensively in various regions of France, Europe and North Africa. He visited Italy and Spain, Morocco and Belgium, England and the Netherlands, after which he lived for four years in Nice, the homeland of his wife.

By the early 1930s, Dufy had become a recognized master of painting and a very wealthy man. His paintings sold well, a solid income was brought in by the business of producing textile decor and ceramics, and f. The French authorities willingly commissioned the artist to create large-scale frescoes for public buildings. In addition, Raul earned money by illustrating books and making engravings. Unfortunately, in 1937 the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis appeared in the painter. The efforts of doctors brought only short-term relief. Nevertheless, Dufy stubbornly continued to create until his death.

Having survived the Second World War in the south of France, after its completion, the authoritative master did not return to Paris. Together with his wife, he settled in the small town of Forcalquier on the slopes of the Alps. In the early 1950s, he visited Boston, where he underwent a successful course of treatment using a new technique at a local clinic. But then his health deteriorated again. On March 23, 1953, Raoul Dufy died suddenly in hospital from a heart attack at the age of 75.