André Derain (redirected from Andr&eacute Derain)

Derain, André 

Born June 10, 1880, in Châtou; died Sept. 8, 1954, in Garches (both towns near Versailles). French painter.

Derain studied in Paris with E. CarriÉre (1898-99) and at the Academic Julian (1904). Between 1905 and 1906 he painted landscapes in the fauvist style, intent on conveying the intensity of nature. The decorative effect of the paintings is based on the utmost intensity of vibration of large patches of pure, contrasting colors (London Harbor, 1906, Tate Gallery, London).

Around 1908, Derain’s style changed under the influence of Cezanne and early cubism; his composition acquired rational rigor, his forms took on geometric simplicity and substantiality, and his colors became restrained and somber, based on greenish, brown, and lead gray hues (A Path Through the Woods in Fontainebleau, A. S. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow). In the second decade of the 20th century gloomy and static renderings appeared in Derain’s creative work in subjects reflecting the dreary monotony of everyday provincial life (Saturday, 1911-14, A. S. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow). In the 1920’s, the artist turned to strict, classical drawing, lapsing into passionless, coldly stylized work.

REFERENCE

Sutton, D. André Derain. London, 1959.