Biography
Jean Metzinger (1883–1956) was a French painter, poet, and theorist recognized as a key founder of Cubism. Born in Nantes, he studied at the Académie des Beaux-Arts before moving to Paris in 1903. Influenced early by Neo-Impressionism and Fauvism, he developed a geometric style inspired by Paul Cézanne, leading to his pioneering role in Cubist painting.
By 1908, Metzinger was experimenting with form fragmentation and in 1910 published Note sur la peinture, introducing the concept of multiple perspectives. He co-authored the seminal text Du "Cubisme" (1912) with Albert Gleizes, helping define and spread Cubism internationally. He exhibited widely, including at the Salon des Indépendants and Salon d'Automne, and co-founded the Section d'Or group, integrating mathematical principles into art.
Metzinger's notable works include Tea Time (1911), Danseuse au café (1912), and Au Vélodrome (1912), showcasing his mastery of geometric decomposition and simultaneity. He taught at several Parisian academies and helped shape Cubism's evolution into a more structured "Crystal Cubism" during WWI. His work is featured in major institutions such as the MoMA, the Guggenheim, and the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, cementing his legacy in modern art history.
Nationality