Raoul Dufy

Raoul Dufy was born on June 3, 1877. He was a French painter known for his colorful and decorative style.

At the age of 18, Raoul Dufy started taking evening art classes at Le Havre's École des Beaux-Arts, where he met influential artists like Raimond Lecourt and Othon Friesz.

In 1900, Raoul Dufy obtained a small scholarship and went to Paris to study art with Bonnat.

In 1901, Raoul Dufy held his first exhibition at the Exhibition of French Artists. This marked the beginning of his public showcasing of his artwork and his entry into the art world.

In 1902, Raoul Dufy was introduced to Berthe Weill, a prominent figure in the art world, and displayed his work at her gallery. This exposure helped Dufy gain more visibility and recognition for his artistic talent.

In 1903, Raoul Dufy showcased his artwork at the Salon des Indépendants, a significant art exhibition in Paris. This further established his presence in the art scene and allowed his work to be seen by a wider audience.

In 1904, Raoul Dufy collaborated with his friend Albert Marquet in Fécamp, a town on the English Channel. This partnership and artistic exploration contributed to Dufy's growth as a painter.

In 1905, Raoul Dufy saw Henri Matisse's painting Luxe, Calme et Volupté at the Salon des Independents, which directed his interests towards Fauvism, a movement that emphasized bright color and bold contours.

Raoul Dufy's artwork titled Le 14 juillet au Havre, rue pavoisée is part of a private art collection and was created in 1906.

After viewing an exhibition of Paul Cézanne's work in 1907, Raoul Dufy temporarily adopted a more subdued color palette and structured compositions.

Raoul Dufy painted Trees in L'Estaque in 1908, which is an oil on canvas painting.

In 1909, Raoul Dufy was commissioned by Paul Poiret to design stationery for the house.

In 1910, Raoul Dufy befriended the fashion designer Paul Poiret, leading to design collaborations with Poiret and Bianchini-Férier.

In 1911, a fabric design was created by Raoul Dufy, known as Poire, based on his sketches. The design showcased Dufy's artistic style and creativity.

After 1912, Raoul Dufy designed textile patterns for Bianchini-Ferier, which were used for garments worn by Paul Poiret and Charvet.

In 1920, after dabbling in Cubism, Raoul Dufy developed his own distinctive approach characterized by the arrangement of skeletal structures using foreshortened perspective and rapid, thin color washes, later recognized as stenographic.

In 1922, a reproduction of the 'Les Violins' pattern designed by Dufy for Bianchini-Férier was created. Dufy was known for his large floral prints, and this pattern is a testament to his distinctive designs.

In 1923, Raoul Dufy depicted 'The Baou de Saint-Jeannet' in his artwork.

Around 1926-1927, Raoul Dufy created the artwork 'The Kessler Family on Horseback'. The painting depicts the Kessler family riding on horseback in Dufy's distinctive colorful and dynamic style.

In 1927, Raoul Dufy produced a series of paintings depicting Nice, showcasing his vibrant and elegant style. These paintings were part of his exploration of scenes of recreation and beauty.

Raoul Dufy created paintings of the Bois de Boulogne in 1929, capturing the essence of this scenic location with his characteristic use of bright colors and lively brushstrokes.

Raoul Dufy's painting titled Pink Nude is housed in Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, France.

In 1931, Raoul Dufy worked on a landscape study for his earlier artwork 'The Kessler Family on Horseback'. This study likely served as a preparatory work before creating the final piece.

The painting titled 'The Kessler Family on Horseback' was created by Raoul Dufy in 1932. It is housed in Tate Britain's Prints and Drawings Rooms.

Raoul Dufy created the painting 'Deauville, Drying the Sails' in 1933. The artwork depicts a scene of sail drying in Deauville, showcasing Dufy's unique style and use of vibrant colors.

In 1937, Raoul Dufy created a major mural titled 'La Fee Electricite' for the 1937 World's Fair Exhibition in Paris. The mural, dedicated to the history and significance of electricity in the 20th century, showcased Dufy's artistic talent and innovation.

Raoul Dufy completed 'The Band' in 1949.

In 1950, Raoul Dufy's ability to paint was affected by rheumatoid arthritis, leading him to undergo an experimental treatment with cortisone and corticotropin in Boston. The treatment was successful, and he dedicated some of his subsequent works to the doctors and researchers in the United States.

In 1951, a Paris publisher suggested that Raoul Dufy reproduce his mural 'La Fee Electricite' as a color lithograph due to the impracticality of displaying the original mural. Dufy embarked on this monumental project, completing it before his death in 1953. The lithograph was executed in 22 colors and printed in ten sheets, measuring 3 feet high by 20 feet wide.

In 1952, Dufy was awarded the main painting prize at the Venice Biennale, just a year before his death in 1953. He had transitioned from working for Bianchini-Férier to focusing on his career as a painter and illustrator.

Raoul Dufy returned to a lighter style and developed his highly distinctive personal manner characterized by rapid calligraphic drawing on colorful backgrounds, which became his signature style.

Paul Poiret, in his memoirs, described Raoul Dufy as a rosy-cheeked, blonde arch-angel with curly hair, emphasizing his dedication to his work and the value of his masterpieces.