Albert ANDRE (1869 -1954) - Naked woman, standing wiping

Albert André began his career designing projects for Lyon's silk manufacturers. His first exhibition took place in 1894 at the Salon des Indépendants, where he presented five paintings that caught the attention of Auguste Renoir, who would become a close friend, and Durand-Ruel, who would later represent him as his dealer.

In 1901, he returned to exhibit at the Salon des Indépendants, marking a turning point in his choice of subjects: from then on, he focused on portraits and genre scenes, which also became prominent in his presentations at the Salon d’Automne from 1904 onward. Starting in 1903, he also exhibited at the Salon d’Automne in Lyon, invited by Paul Signac.

A painter, draftsman, illustrator, and decorator, André created works between 1895 and 1939. As a post-Impressionist, he belonged to the generation that immediately followed the Impressionists. Early in his career, he was influenced by the Nabis and occasionally by the Fauves, but he adopted Impressionist principles to present a poetic and measured vision of nature. His works are characterized by colorful, decorative compositions with precise outlines and an absence of perspective. His use of pastels pays homage to Degas, whom he deeply admired.

With broad and energetic brushstrokes, André conveyed movement and brought sketched figures to life. Favoring bright and luminous colors, he excelled in using fresh and vibrant tones. His bold strokes of green added a striking sense of depth to his compositions.

Albert André passed away in 1954, on the eve of the opening of his exhibition at the Avignon Museum.