Dominique Chantreau

Dominique Chantreau was born and raised in Nantes. At a very young age, he learned the printing trade in the family workshops. He retained a graphic and technical know-how that would be essential to him in his life as a painter.

At 18, he contracted polio. This ordeal would mark his body

and his spirit forever. However, he will keep an extraordinary passion and vitality resulting in a rich and abundant artistic production.

In 1959, he met the painter Henri-Jean Closon who became his friend and mentor. The latter introduced him to the great pictorial movements of the 20th century. He would retain the rigor and purity of cubism and would be marked by the ideals and spirit of surrealism.

His work is multiple and singular. At the beginning of the 70s, he will produce paintings with lively and fluid forms of great dynamism.

The deployment of color is wild and instinctive.

Later, geometric rigor takes an important place and his work will then be made up of rigorous flat tints in vibrant hues.

In 1969, he joined the group of artists "Archipel", alongside Jorj Morin, Louis Ferrand, Bertrand Bracaval, Michel Nourry and Maurice Cadou Rocher. He will participate in a major collective exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Nantes.

Dominique Chantreau's work calls for a contemporary reinterpretation as well as wider dissemination to the public.

His work remains to be rediscovered today.