Marcel Gromaire

Marcel Gromaire was an artist born on July 24, 1892, in Noyelles-sur-Sambre. After briefly studying law, he became captivated by the vibrant atmosphere of the Montparnasse studios in Paris, a true crossroads for creative minds.

World War I broke out. Drafted into the army, Gromaire spent six years serving, a significant experience. Upon his return to Paris, he became a film critic for the newspaper “Crapouillot.” It was here that he met Maurice Girardin, a patron who would purchase all of his work for the next ten years, thus establishing a fruitful collaboration.

In 1925, he settled in Villa Seurat, an iconic location in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, where he continued to develop his art. His painting “La Guerre” created a sensation at the Salon des Indépendants in 1925, marking his imprint on the artistic landscape.

A friend of Henri Matisse and Fernand Léger, Gromaire refused to conform to movements or schools, asserting a unique style that combined lyrical energy with rigorous geometric construction.

His works evoke forms inspired by Romanesque and Gothic primitives. It is said that he constructs his nudes like cathedrals and treats skyscrapers like theorems. In 1933, a retrospective at the Kunsthalle Basel celebrated his talent, and in 1937, he received state commissions for the International Exhibition in Paris.

During World War II, between 1939 and 1944, Gromaire moved to Aubusson, where he participated in the revival of tapestry in collaboration with Jean Lurçat. In 1947, he exhibited at the Louis Carré gallery, and in 1950, he was appointed professor at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs, a position he held until 1962.

In 1950, Gromaire traveled to the United States as a member of the jury for the Carnegie Prize, which he won two years later. He spent his final years in Paris, where he continued to paint until his death on April 11, 1971. Dr. Girardin, a friend of the artist, bequeathed a valuable collection of his works to the Museum of Modern Art in Paris. A retrospective of the artist’s work was organized in 1980, ensuring his indelible place in the cultural heritage.