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

Albert ANDRE (Lyon, 1869 - Laudun, 1954) - Naked woman, standing wiping (around 1930)

Albert André began his career by creating projects for the silkies of Lyon. His first exhibition took place in 1894 at the Salon des Indépendants: he presented five paintings and was noticed by Auguste Renoir, who would later become his close friend, and by Durand-Ruel, who would become his art dealer.

In 1901, he returned to the Indépendants: there was a profound change in his favourite themes, since from then on only portraits and genre scenes appeared, which still formed a large part of his works presented at the Salon d'Automne, from 1904 onwards. He also exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in Lyon in 1903, thank to the invitation of Paul Signac.

A painter and draughtsman (always on the subject), André was also a talented illustrator and decorator, as shown by the works they produced between 1895 and 1939. Post-Impressionist, he belonged to the generation immediately following that of the Impressionists. Sensitive at the beginning of his career to the aesthetics of the Nabis, sometimes to that of the Fauves, he was able to draw the lessons of Impressionism to give a poetic and measured vision of nature.

He is known for his colourful, decorative painting, with precise contours, without the effect of perspective. The use of pastel is a tribute to Degas, for whom he has great admiration.

Its touch is broad and energetic, it translates movement and gives life to allusive silhouettes. He prefers flamboyant colors, fresh tones and vibrant light. The vigorously brushed touches of green create the illusion of space.

He died in 1954, the day before his exhibition at the Musée d'Avignon.