Georges BRAQUE (1882-1963)(After) - Hera, Lithograph from the Series ’Oedipus Rex’

Georges Braque : (1882-1963) is one of the founding fathers of Cubism. The artist grew up in Le Havre before coming to Paris in 1900. He turned to Fauvism in 1905 and exhibited the next year at The "Salon des Indépendants". Braque met Picasso at the "Bateau-Lavoir" in 1907 by means of Apollinaire. Both artists share an admiration for Cézanne. Giving up landscape for still life, Braque collaborated with Picasso in the formulation of "analytical" then "hermetic" Cubism doctrines. From 1912, the invention of the "papiers collés" allowed him to reintroduce color which became independent from shape ("Still life with violin", 1912). As a pioneer, he was the first to introduce in his works the printing letter, to use the combs to paint, fake wood, and to add sand, sawdust and nail to the painting surface. His mobilization in 1914, marked his separation from Picasso. Braque then essentially dedicated himself to still life. From 1928, the artist lightened his palette and the purchase of his Varengeville-sur-mer property near Dieppe in 1930, announced the reappearance of the landscape in his painting. On the other hand, World War II, inspired his darkest paintings. He died in Paris in 1963.
Arman : (1928-2005) Arman Fernandez, called Arman, is a french artist born in 1928 and dead in 2005. He is famous for his "accumulations", works using transformed products as it is. He studied at Nice Decorative Art School and completed his formation at The École du Louvre. He met Yves Klein in his home town, at the age of 20. In Vincent Van Gogh's style, he signed his works by his surname (and decided to put off the "d" in Armand). The famous galerist Iris Clert took him as Yves Klein under his cover; Yves Klein's "Vide" exhibition in 1958 is followed by Arman's "Plein" exhibition 2 years later. Both friends as other personalities created the "Nouveaux Réalistes" group including César and Niki de Saint Phalle. He then shared his free time between New York and France.
Expertized by Noé Willer : Specialist expert, and author of several catalogue raisonné (Eugène Galien-Laloue, Luigi Loir and soon Victor Gilbert, Jean-Gabriel Domergue). He has been working wih auctionneers and international collectors for more than twenty years. References: Salle des ventes de Drouot-Paris, France and International: Christie's, Sotheby's.