The images and information presented below are for the instruction of students and scholarly research.
Francis Picabia
(1879-1953)
Cyclope 1926
Think that you may own a painting by Francis Picabia? We authenticate, appraise, research and issue certificates of authenticity (COA) and provide consultations for all paintings by Francis Picabia.
Spanish Woman 1902
Young Girl 1912
Francis Picabia was, above all, a Parisian. Paris being the centre of the art world prior to WWII, Picabia sat like a spider in the middle of its web, consuming the varied meals that appeared before him.
Udnie 1913
Dances at the Spring
Balance 1919
He was born towards the end of the last great era of academic painting, and joined in each rebellion against it with enthusiasm, as did so many of his contemporaries such as Matisse and Picasso. But few could match Picabia's eclecticism. He devoured each new movement, applying his formidable skills to forge new means of artistic expression from the moribund hulk of traditional painting. But it was, of course, this moribund hulk that Picabia and the rest had emerged from, like glittering, ungrateful butterflies. The academy provided their skills, their discipline.
Papillons 1929
Early in life, Picabia was a follower of the Barbizon School, mixed with an imitation of Sisley. So at the mature age of 27 he was still in thrall to the 19th century. Matisse and the Fauvists changed all that, as did Picasso. Note his solemn cubist still life, done in 1909, and the timid imitation of Fauvist savagery in his Sierra Morena series (1909). It took Picabia a long time to get a grip on the revolution.
Still Life
Virgin with Infant 1935
But eventually he did. In 1910 Picabia met the Duchamp brothers and their notions of "ready-made" art. From then on, no art movement was safe from Picabia's take on it. And he was by no means merely imitative, but showed real originality at times, not to mention a sense of humor.
Cocolo
He was a leading Dadaist, Surrealist, and Modernist- at different times. In the 20s and 30s he experimented with multiple perspectives, producing what he called his "transparences" (see "Hera" 1929, and "Corrida Transparence" below).
Hera
Corrida Transparence
Picabia, for all his experimentation and vacillation, was consistent in one vital respect: his devotion to precision. There's nothing sloppy or casual about Picabia. He remained true to his academic roots. Even his prolific output of slight works on paper illustrates care and precision. Picabia was to the end the most formal of radicals.
Self-Portrait 1946
Today, Picabia’s work is housed in modern art museums all over the world, and perhaps in your own home. Still wondering about a modern art painting in your family estate? Contact us…it could be by Francis Picabia.
