Raoul DufyFauve Artist of France

Raoul Dufy (Ra-ul Due-fee)

Born in France 1877He worked during the day and studied art at night

Earned a scholarship for an art school and moved to Paris to seriously study art and drawing

Raul was attracted to work of the Impressionists. He learned that there was more to art than what you could learn in school

Raoul met a man named Henri Mattise. Matisse was an artist who did not paint in the traditional manner that the Salon liked. Raoul liked thje intense colors and lines that Matisse used. Raoul, Matisse and a few other artists who painted in the same way put on an exhibit - the critics came to see their work and laughed. The Called them “Les Fauves” which is French for Wild Beasts

In 1920, Dufy went to work at a museum. He was able to work on his own ideas. He created and sold designs for fabric and drawings for books.

He also traveled and took trips to the Mediterranean Sea. He loved the bright light and clear blue waters. The sea appears in many of his paintings.

Raoul became quite famous. The French government even asked Dufy to paint murals in some public buildings.

He developed arthritis and moved to the south of France where it is warmer and hoped this would help but the pain got worse. He moved to the US for medical treatment in 1947. He traveled and made paintings of events he saw such as the crowds of New York and rodeos in Arizona.

He moved back to France and continued painting until his death in 1953.

How would you describe the color you see in Raoul Dufy’s painting? How does the color make you feel? What kind of day is it? What time of year do you think it is? Calligraphic painting: calligraphic strokes to produce movement, texture, shapes and patterns

Title: Mediterranean SceneDate: 1920Medium: Oil Paint