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Maurice Esteve Biography
Maurice Estève was a prominent French painter, born on May 2, 1904, in Culan, Cher, France. He spent his early years in Culan with his grandparents before moving to Paris with his parents in 1913. His father worked as a cobbler, and his mother was a dressmaker. This move to Paris marked the beginning of Estève's lifelong engagement with art, a journey that would see him become one of the leading figures in non-figurative art after the Second World War.
Estève's artistic education was largely self-taught. He briefly attended the free studio of the Académie Colarossi in 1924, but it was his personal exploration and study that shaped his artistic development. During his visits to the Louvre in the 1920s, he was deeply impressed by the works of Jean Fouquet, Paolo Uccello, and notably, Paul Cézanne, whom he considered a "saint of painting." These early influences were crucial in Estève's departure from realism and his subsequent evolution towards a unique form of Cubist Fauvism.
In 1923, Estève worked as a designer in a textile factory in Barcelona, which was a brief detour from his artistic pursuits. However, by 1928, he began to move away from realism, influenced by the works of Georges Braque, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, and Pierre Bonnard. This period marked the beginning of his transition towards abstraction, a style that would define his oeuvre.
Estève's first solo exhibition was held at the Galerie Yvangot in Paris in 1930. This exhibition was a significant milestone, showcasing his early experiments with abstraction. He also worked as an assistant to Robert Delaunay on decorative panels for the 1937 Paris International Exhibition, further solidifying his place in the Parisian art scene.
The 1940s marked a significant evolution in Estève's style. His compositions became increasingly abstract, characterized by stylized figures, still-life, and landscapes composed of interlocking shapes and bold colors. This period also saw Estève experimenting with watercolors, collages, and even stained glass, demonstrating his versatility as an artist.
Despite his growing reputation, Estève preferred to avoid the limelight, choosing instead to focus on his work. He was known for setting high demands on himself and was selective about the projects and exhibitions he participated in. This dedication to his art was evident in the lyrical abstraction that became the hallmark of his work, aiming to depict form and color with a poetic sensibility.
Estève's contributions to art were recognized internationally. He participated in the Venice Biennale in 1954, and his works are included in numerous prestigious museums and collections around the world, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Saatchi collection.
In 1986, a significant retrospective of his work was held at the Grand Palais in Paris, and in 1987, the Musée Estève was inaugurated in Bourges, following the artist's desire to make his work accessible to a broader audience.
Maurice Estève passed away on June 29, 2001, in his hometown of Culan, at the age of 97. His legacy as a pioneer of non-figurative art and a master of abstract colorism remains influential, continuing to inspire artists and art lovers around the world.
Maurice Esteve Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
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