Georges BRAQUE - Woman Portrait, lithograph, 35 x 26cm, 1939

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.