Georges BRAQUE - "The Blue Birds, tribute to Pablo Picasso" lithograph, 60x80cm

Pablo Picasso : Pablo Ruiz Picasso is one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Born in Malaga in 1881, he arrives at Barcelona at 15 and makes his first exposition five years later. He established himself at "Bateau-Lavoir" studio in Paris (Montmartre) in 1904. His early paintings are classical at that time and divided by periods, the "blue period" (1901-1904) followed by the "pink period" (1904-1906). Marked by new influences (Ingres, Cézanne, Gauguin) and new meetings (Matisses, Braques, Derain), Picasso's painting made a radical turn clearly perceptible in his "Demoiselles d’Avignon" (1906-1907). This geometrization which quickly became fragmentation, followed by Braque, announced the birth of Cubism. In this revolutionary artistic impulsion, the year 1911 is marked by the first "papiers collés" of the art History. His native Spain clearly influenced his works between 1930-1944. Affected by the Civil War, he awaked himself to militancy with "Guernica", 1937. A same anxiety can be felt through his parisian works during Second World War ("Still life with steer skull", 1942). His setting in the south of France and his membership to the Communist Party in 1944 gives way to hope in his painting ("La joie de vivre", 1946). Years 1950-1960 show the influence of contemporaries such as Matisse and great masters as Delacroix, Velázquez, Manet or David. He works until his death in Mougins, in 1973.
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.