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Georges Braque

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Georges Braque was a famous French artist who changed how we see the world.

He was a painter, a sculptor, and a maker of prints. Braque was also a talented draughtsman who could draw with great skill. He helped start a very important style of art called Cubism. This style changed the way artists thought about shapes and space. People still study his work in many big museums today.

Georges Braque, 1907-08, The Viaduct at L'Estaque (Viaduc de l'Estaque), oil on canvas, 65.1 x 80.6 cm, Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Georges Braque, 1907-08, The Viaduct at L'Estaque (Viaduc de l'Estaque), oil on canvas, 65.1 x 80.6 cm, Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Braque learned to make art in many different ways. He first trained as a house painter and decorator like his father. Later, he studied at the École supérieure d'art et design Le Havre-Rouen. In Paris, he worked as an apprentice for a decorator. He even attended the Académie Humbert to improve his painting. By 1902, he earned a professional certificate in his work. He spent his evenings learning how to be a true artist.

Georges Braque, 1908, Baigneuse (Le Grand Nu, Large Nude), oil on canvas, 140 × 100 cm, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris
Georges Braque, 1908, Baigneuse (Le Grand Nu, Large Nude), oil on canvas, 140 × 100 cm, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris

His art style changed as he grew and met new people. In 1905, he joined a group called the Fauves, or "Beasts." They used bright colors to show deep feelings. Later, he was inspired by the artist Paul Cézanne. This led him to create Cubism, which uses geometry and many perspectives. He worked very closely with Pablo Picasso to develop this new look. Between 1908 and 1912, their paintings were almost impossible to tell apart.

Georges Braque, 1908, Maisons et arbre, oil on canvas, 40.5 x 32.5 cm, Lille Métropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art
Georges Braque, 1908, Maisons et arbre, oil on canvas, 40.5 x 32.5 cm, Lille Métropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art

Braque loved to paint ordinary objects in his still lifes.

Georges Braque, 1909, Still Life with Metronome (Still Life with Mandola and Metronome), oil on canvas, 81 x 54.1 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Georges Braque, 1909, Still Life with Metronome (Still Life with Mandola and Metronome), oil on canvas, 81 x 54.1 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art

He painted things like guitars, violins, and even metronomes. He liked still lifes because they let him explore "tactile space." This means he wanted to feel the distance between objects. He also invented a technique called papier collé, which is a type of collage. This involves gluing pieces of paper onto a surface to make art.

Georges Braque, 1909-10, La guitare (Mandora, La Mandore), oil on canvas, 71.1 x 55.9 cm, Tate Modern, London
Georges Braque, 1909-10, La guitare (Mandora, La Mandore), oil on canvas, 71.1 x 55.9 cm, Tate Modern, London

Life was not always easy for the artist. In 1914, he joined the French Army during World War I. He suffered a bad head injury in battle at Carency in 1915. This injury caused him to be temporarily blind. He had to recover for a long time before painting again. He resumed his art in late 1916 with a more personal style. Braque lived until 1963 and is remembered as a leader of modern art.

Georges Braque, 1922, Paris, photograph by Man Ray.
Georges Braque, 1922, Paris, photograph by Man Ray.
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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Georges Braque, 1906, L'Olivier près de l'Estaque (The Olive tree near l'Estaque).jpg
Georges Braque, 1906, L'Olivier près de...
File:Georges Braque, 1907-08, The Viaduct at L'Estaque (Viaduc de l'Estaque), oil on canvas, 65.1 x 80.6 cm, Minneapolis Institute of Arts.jpg
Georges Braque, 1907-08, The Viaduct at...
File:Georges Braque, 1908, Maisons et arbre, oil on canvas, 40.5 x 32.5 cm, Lille Métropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art.jpg
Georges Braque, 1908, Maisons et arbre,...
File:Georges Braque, 1908, Le Viaduc de L'Estaque (Viaduct at L'Estaque), oil on canvas, 73 x 60 cm, private collection.jpg
Georges Braque, 1908, Le Viaduc de...
File:Georges Braque, 1908, Baigneuse (Le Grand Nu, Large Nude), oil on canvas, 140 × 100 cm, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris.jpg
Georges Braque, 1908, Baigneuse (Le Grand...
File:Georges Braque, 1909, Still Life with Metronome (Still Life with Mandola and Metronome), oil on canvas, 81 x 54.1 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art.jpg
Georges Braque, 1909, Still Life with...
File:Georges Braque, 1909-10, La guitare (Mandora, La Mandore), oil on canvas, 71.1 x 55.9 cm, Tate Modern, London.jpg
Georges Braque, 1909-10, La guitare...
File:Violin and Candlestick.jpg
Violin and Candlestick.jpg
File:Georges Braque, 1922, Paris, photograph by Man Ray..jpg
Georges Braque, 1922, Paris, photograph...
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