Maurice de Vlaminck

Maurice de Vlaminck (French: Maurice de Vlaminck; April 4, 1876, Paris – October 11, 1958, Rueil-la-Gadelière, Indre-et-Loire) was a French landscape painter, musician and writer. He was part of the group known as "The Wild Beasts" (Fauvists). Stylistically close to André Derain and Kees van Dongen, Vlaminck was a prominent figure of the early 20th-century avant-garde and one of the founders of Fauvism.

Early Career

From an early age, he was interested in music and literature and learned to play the violin, but eventually chose painting. He was self-taught, although he never attended art school. In 1899, he met André Derain, with whom he shared a studio and began working actively in the landscape genre.

Fauvist Period (1904–1907)

In 1901, he visited an exhibition of Vincent van Gogh’s work, which had a major influence on his style. Soon after, he began using bright, saturated colors, rejecting realistic forms. Together with Henri Matisse and André Derain, he became one of the leaders of the avant-garde movement — Fauvism.

His works such as “Self-Portrait,” “River at Château-Landon,” and “Red House” astonished the public with their boldness and vivid colors at the Autumn Salon in Paris in 1905.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Vlaminck's first solo exhibition took place in 1906 at Berthe Weill’s gallery. In 1907, he signed an exclusive contract with the art dealer Ambroise Vollard, securing him financial stability and widespread recognition. His works began to appear across Europe and in the United States.

Late Years

After 1910, Vlaminck's style became more restrained and realistic. He also began writing prose and poetry. During the interwar years, he continued exhibiting, though less actively participating in artistic circles.

Death

Maurice de Vlaminck died on October 11, 1958 in Rueil-la-Gadelière, France. He left behind a rich legacy that had a significant impact on the development of modernist painting.

Maurice de Vlaminck - Gallery of Best Paintings