Henri Laurens - A Pivotal Figure in the Development of Modern Sculpture
Henri Laurens was a French sculptor and Illustrator, born in Paris, on February 18, 1885, in a worker's family.
Despite his limited academic and artistic training, he established himself as one of the most outstanding sculptors of his time.
Laurens worked as a stonemason, prior to picking up sculpturing as his mainline career.
After primary schooling, Laurens joined the studio of building ornaments, practicing direct carving on building sites.
He was an expert of the 'Decorative Arts.
' In 1899, he attended evening drawing classes at the studio of Pere Perrin.
Laurens settled in the Montmartre district of Paris in 1902, where he met his would be wife Marthe Duvergeer, in 1905.
Laurens' earlier works seemed influenced by Auguste Rodin's style.
In 1911, the artist met Georges Braque.
Their wives were childhood friends.
Braque later introduced Henri to Pablo Picasso, and the three struck a lifelong friendship.
By 1912, Laurens started exploring the sculptural possibilities of 'Cubism.
' He combined painting and sculpting to produce a revolutionary body of works.
"Bottle and Glass" (1915), "Figure" (1917), "Mask" (1918), and "Guitar" (1918), are some of his 'Cubist' style works.
Picasso liked Henri's works and introduced him to the art dealer, Léonce Rosenberg, who often bought his works and even supported him during the World War.
Meanwhile, in 1915, Henri illustrated a book of his author friend, Pierre Reverdy.
The rules of 'Contemporary Arts' could never trap him.
During the 1920s, Laurens' style evolved.
He abandoned the sharp geometric shapes of 'Cubism' and adapted a less 'Abstract' and more sensuous 'Curvilinear' style to give a decorative effect.
Critics often described Laurens' works as innovative and uninhibited.
His works spanned from 'Collage Making,' to 'Poster Painting,' to 'Engraving,' and 'Theater Designing.
' "Bunch of Grapes" (1922), "Seated Woman" (1930), "Oceanid" (1933), "The Farewell" (1941), "Water Sprites" (1933), "Bathers" (1931), and "Autumn" (1948), are a few examples of the exceptional works he did in his lifetime.
In 1938, he exhibited with Braque and Picasso, in the key Scandinavian cities.
Apart from sculpting, Henri Laurens did illustrations for various books.
His most prominent works are Paul Eluard's "The Last Night" (1942) and Tristan Tsara's "Entre Temps" (1946).
Laurens had even worked as a stage designer.
Success, fame, and financial gains came very late in Laurens' life.
The triumphant moment of his life was perhaps when he received an award for his talent in sculpting at Sao Paolo Biennial, in 1948.
One of his most memorable works, "L'Amphion" (1952), stands erected in the Central University of Venezuela, Caracas.
He built this bronze sculpture on the request of architect Carlos Raul Villanueva.
Henri Laurens passed away on May 05, 1954, in Paris, and his tomb was decorated with one of his own sculptures, "La Douleur" (Grief).
Despite his limited academic and artistic training, he established himself as one of the most outstanding sculptors of his time.
Laurens worked as a stonemason, prior to picking up sculpturing as his mainline career.
After primary schooling, Laurens joined the studio of building ornaments, practicing direct carving on building sites.
He was an expert of the 'Decorative Arts.
' In 1899, he attended evening drawing classes at the studio of Pere Perrin.
Laurens settled in the Montmartre district of Paris in 1902, where he met his would be wife Marthe Duvergeer, in 1905.
Laurens' earlier works seemed influenced by Auguste Rodin's style.
In 1911, the artist met Georges Braque.
Their wives were childhood friends.
Braque later introduced Henri to Pablo Picasso, and the three struck a lifelong friendship.
By 1912, Laurens started exploring the sculptural possibilities of 'Cubism.
' He combined painting and sculpting to produce a revolutionary body of works.
"Bottle and Glass" (1915), "Figure" (1917), "Mask" (1918), and "Guitar" (1918), are some of his 'Cubist' style works.
Picasso liked Henri's works and introduced him to the art dealer, Léonce Rosenberg, who often bought his works and even supported him during the World War.
Meanwhile, in 1915, Henri illustrated a book of his author friend, Pierre Reverdy.
The rules of 'Contemporary Arts' could never trap him.
During the 1920s, Laurens' style evolved.
He abandoned the sharp geometric shapes of 'Cubism' and adapted a less 'Abstract' and more sensuous 'Curvilinear' style to give a decorative effect.
Critics often described Laurens' works as innovative and uninhibited.
His works spanned from 'Collage Making,' to 'Poster Painting,' to 'Engraving,' and 'Theater Designing.
' "Bunch of Grapes" (1922), "Seated Woman" (1930), "Oceanid" (1933), "The Farewell" (1941), "Water Sprites" (1933), "Bathers" (1931), and "Autumn" (1948), are a few examples of the exceptional works he did in his lifetime.
In 1938, he exhibited with Braque and Picasso, in the key Scandinavian cities.
Apart from sculpting, Henri Laurens did illustrations for various books.
His most prominent works are Paul Eluard's "The Last Night" (1942) and Tristan Tsara's "Entre Temps" (1946).
Laurens had even worked as a stage designer.
Success, fame, and financial gains came very late in Laurens' life.
The triumphant moment of his life was perhaps when he received an award for his talent in sculpting at Sao Paolo Biennial, in 1948.
One of his most memorable works, "L'Amphion" (1952), stands erected in the Central University of Venezuela, Caracas.
He built this bronze sculpture on the request of architect Carlos Raul Villanueva.
Henri Laurens passed away on May 05, 1954, in Paris, and his tomb was decorated with one of his own sculptures, "La Douleur" (Grief).
