Othon Friesz

Born. 06.02.1879 in Le Havre
Died. 10.01.1949 in Paris

French painter, Impressionist, Fauvist

About the artist

Émile Othon Friesz, more famously known as the French Fauvist artist Othon Friesz, was born in Le Harve on 6 February 1879.

He studied at the Le Havre School of Fine Arts from 1895-96 with his friend Raoul Dufy. After their studies finished they both decided to continue with their artistic interests and relocated to Paris to continue their education. Unhappy with the academic teaching of Bonnat, Friesz turned to the Fauvist style of painting with Henri Matisse, Albert Marquet, and Georges Rouault, whom he had met during his studies. They all created pieces that were exhibited in 1907. The following year, Friesz returned to Normandy where he decided to go back to his original style of painting using milder tones and a normal composition. He opened his studio in 1912 and taught until 1914, continuing with his artistic style until he joined the army at the outbreak of the First World War.  Returning to Paris after the war, he continued with his love of painting until he died in 1949.