Press release
“Art is a game, maybe a sublime game, but nothing but a game.”
André Derain
André Derain, who said this to René Crevel in the 1920s, was a master of this game. In his early years, Derain was primarily known as a fauvist, and he later developed a cubist and classical approach to his creative periods. Strongly criticized for these stylistic changes both during his lifetime and thereafter, Derain has since gained critical recognition for this game of styles in his paintings as well as his sculptures and drawings.
In this exhibition, Galerie Michael Werner will present more than 40 drawings by André Derain, which—being mostly nude or portrait studies—individually reflect his study of nature. In addition to classical portraits, there are also sketched studies which are strongly reminiscent of the artist’s approach to sculpture. An exceptional series of 18 small erotic motifs from the former collection of Henri Marie Petiet in Paris will also be on view.
André Derain was born on 10 June 1880 in Chatou near Paris and died on 8 September 1954 in Garches near Paris. His work is presented in every major museum worldwide and he is regarded as one of the most important artists of classic modern art.
The exhibition at Galerie Michael Werner in Märkisch Wilmersdorf opens 4 April 2016 and remains on view through 27 May 2016. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm. Booking in advance is recommended by phone +49 (0)33731 32010 or email galeriewerner@michaelwerner.de.