Marcel Gromaire facts for kids
Marcel Gromaire (born July 24, 1892 – died April 11, 1971) was a famous French painter. He created many artworks that showed everyday life and social topics. While some link him to a style called Social Realism, Gromaire mostly painted in his own unique way. He didn't really belong to specific art groups or movements.
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Early Life and Education
Marcel Gromaire was born in Noyelles-sur-Sambre, France. His father was a teacher in Paris. Marcel first studied traditional subjects in Douai. Later, he continued his studies in Paris. In 1909, he earned a law degree, but he soon decided not to become a lawyer.
Instead, he spent time in art studios in Montparnasse, a famous art district in Paris. He also took art classes at the Académie de La Palette. In 1912, he joined the military in Lille. He was injured in 1916 during a big battle called the Battle of the Somme.
Developing His Art Style
After his military service, Gromaire returned to Paris. He worked in his own studio there. He often painted what he saw around him in his studio. This included the light, the objects, and the feeling of the space. He used dark colors like browns and ochres in his paintings. His studio was more than just a place to paint; it was a big part of his artistic vision.
A special meeting helped start his art career. A collector named Doctor Girardin bought all of Gromaire's artwork. This was a huge step for the young artist. When Doctor Girardin passed away in 1953, he gave 78 oil paintings and many watercolors by Gromaire to the Museum of Modern Art in Paris.
Growing Recognition as an Artist
Marcel Gromaire's art was noticed by galleries and museums quite early. In 1931, Pierre Matisse showed Gromaire's work at the opening of his new gallery in New York. This was a big deal for a French artist.
In 1933, a special show of his artworks took place at the Kunsthalle de Baie. This event showed how important his paintings were. In 1937, the French government even displayed his work at the Paris Exposition Internationale.
Gromaire painted a little over 700 canvases in his lifetime. This means he created about ten paintings each year. He also taught art to others. One of his students was the painter and sculptor Jeanne Patterson Miles.
Later Career and Awards
From 1939 to 1944, Gromaire lived in Aubusson, Creuse. Here, he helped bring back the art of tapestry making, working with artist Jean Lurcat. In 1950, he became a professor at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. He taught there until 1962.
In 1950, he traveled to the United States. He was a judge for the Carnegie Prize, a famous art award. That year, the prize went to Jacques Villon. Two years later, in 1952, Marcel Gromaire himself received a Carnegie prize.
His achievements were recognized with high honors. In 1954, he was made a commander of the Légion d'honneur, which is a very important French award. In 1958, he won the Grand Prix National des Arts.
From 1947 to 1956, his art was shown at the Louis Carré gallery in Paris. In 1963, a large show of his work was held at the Musée national d'art moderne.
Marcel Gromaire passed away in Paris in 1971 after being in the hospital for some time. In 1980, another exhibition of his art was held at the Musée d'art moderne de la Ville de Paris.
See also
In Spanish: Marcel Gromaire para niños
