Jean Dufy & Gen Paul – 20th Century Masters

20th Century Masters

Jean Dufy & Gen Paul

Jean Dufy (1888 – 1964)

Jean Dufy arrived in Paris in 1912, at twenty-four years of age with a portfolio of watercolors as his only fortune, “I painted flowers, circuses, seascapes, the family garden, still lifes,” he said. Dufy then served in the Army from 1914 – 1918 during World War I. After the war, he returned to Paris and, in 1920, settled in Montmartre and was fortunate to be surrounded by a community of artists – his neighbor was George Braque. Dufy painted Paris for 35 years and used everything in the city as a subject for his work. Like a tourist that never left, he would continue to return to his favorite places to repaint the views he adored, capture them in a different light, and reveal another expression of the cities’ soul each time.

Gen Paul (1895 – 1975)

Gen Paul was born and raised in Montmartre, Paris, the bohemian artistic community many artists would flock to. He left Paris to fight in World War I, where he was seriously injured and lost his right leg in 1915. Gen Paul returned home, and his artistic career began. During these early years of his career, which spanned 60 years, he saw “everyone come and go,” referring to all the great names who spent time in Montmartre before moving on again. He was also highly regarded by writers, artists, actors, and Parisian natives; Jean-Paul Crespelle said that “Gen Paul was the last of the great painters of Montmartre.” He was a socialite and a city dweller; he needed the city and loved living amidst the noise and movement, surrounded by people. He would often have famous writers, actors, artists, and even clowns from the circus in his salon while he would paint late into the night. It’s clear to see why so much life, color, and vibrance is present on his canvas.

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Jean Dufy  |  Gen Paul

James MuldoonJean Dufy & Gen Paul – 20th Century Masters