Leo Michelson facts for kids

Leo Michelson was a talented artist born in Latvia who later became an American citizen. He lived from 1887 to 1978. He was known for being part of the "School of Paris," a group of artists who worked in Paris. But Leo Michelson didn't stick to just one style; he tried many different ways of painting and sculpting throughout his life.

Early Life and Education

Leo Michelson was born in Riga, Latvia, on May 12, 1887. He studied art at the Imperial Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. Later, he continued his education at the University of Tartu in Tartu, Estonia.

Moving to Germany and France

In 1917, a big event called the Russian Revolution happened in Russia. This made Michelson leave Russia and move to Munich, Germany. There, he became involved with a new art movement called German Expressionism.

By 1920, Michelson had moved to Paris, France. He quickly became famous for his beautiful paintings, prints, and sculptures. As a key artist in the Paris School, his art was shown in major exhibitions. These shows took place across Western Europe, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

Life in America

In 1939, Paris was taken over by Nazi Germany. Michelson had to leave France and moved to New York City in the United States. He lived there for the rest of his life.

Michelson was known as an "eternal emigrant, eternal student." This means he was always moving and always learning new things. He loved to study and try out different art styles. He even carried crayons with him so he could sketch whenever he felt inspired.

Art experts have compared Michelson's work to famous artists like Chagall and Picasso. However, Michelson himself said that the old master Titian was his biggest inspiration.

His Art and Legacy

Leo Michelson created more than 1,000 paintings during his life. He passed away on April 10, 1978. After his death, his wife, Janine, chose Marshall, Texas, as the special place to keep all of his artworks. Today, you can see his amazing creations at the Michelson Museum of Art in Marshall.

Images for kids

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  Leo Michelson