Jean Fautrier French, 1888-1964

Jean Fautrier (Paris, France, 1888 – Châtenay-Malabry, France, 1964) 

 
Born in Paris in 1888, after losing his grandmother who had raised him, and his father, he moved to London to live with his mother. In the capital, he began his studies at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1912, but soon abandoned them to join the Slade School, renowned for its more informal and forward-looking approach. 

In 1917, the French army enlisted him for military service. However, he was dismissed in 1921, because of his poor health.  

 
Encountering Turner at the Tate Modern gallery will represent a pivotal moment in the author's career. 

Through his art, Fautrier experimented with a new style, aiming to move away from rigid forms and cubist shapes to embrace formal and conceptual freedom. 

In 1922, he exhibited for the first time at the Salon d'Automne, and in 1923, at the Fabre Gallery. During the latter occasion, he met the art dealer Jeanne Castel, who became his initial collector and friend. 

In this period, he began experimenting with etchings and engravings, deepening these techniques.  

In 1924, the Galerie Visconti in Paris hosted his first solo exhibition. 

It was only in the last few years of his life that he received international recognition. His crowning achievement came in 1960 at the Venice Biennale, where he received the top prize, a testament to his works and fame. 

Jean Fautrier died in 1964 in Châtenay-Malabry, France. 

Copyright the artist. Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)