**André Masson** born 1896 - 1987 ![[masson-emblematic-view-of-toledo-1936.jpg]] > [!info] French painter, [sculptor](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/s/sculpture "Glossary definition for 'Sculpture'"), illustrator, designer and writer, born at Balagny (Oise). Spent most of his youth in Brussels, where he worked as pattern-drawer in an embroidery studio and studied part-time at the Académie des Beaux-Arts. Then moved to Paris and studied at the [Ecole des Beaux-Arts](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/e/ecole-des-beaux-arts "Glossary definition for 'Ecole des Beaux Arts'") 1912-14. Served in the French Army 1914-19, and was gravely wounded. Lived 1919-22 in the South of France, then returned to Paris where he met Gris, Derain, and later Miró and Breton. First one-man exhibition at the Galerie Simon, Paris, 1923. [Paintings](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/p/painting "Glossary definition for 'Painting'") of forests, card players and [still life](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/s/still-life "Glossary definition for 'Still life'"), followed by experiments with automatic [drawing](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/d/drawing "Glossary definition for 'Drawing'"). Participated from 1924-9 in the [Surrealist](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/s/surrealism "Glossary definition for 'Surrealism'") movement. Made further works exploring chance effects, including sand paintings, as well as paintings of metamorphoses of animal and human forms, themes of germination, combats and massacres, with emphasis on violence and eroticism. Lived 1934-6 in Spain; paintings of bullfights, Spanish myths, etc. Took refuge 1941-5 in the USA, where he lived at New Preston, Connecticut, and made works inspired by the elemental forces of [[Nature]]. Returned to France in 1945 and settled in 1947 at Aix-en-Provence. Painted [landscape](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/l/landscape "Glossary definition for 'Landscape'") themes such as [[Mountains]] and waterfalls for several years, followed by some almost completely [abstract](http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/a/abstract-art "Glossary definition for 'Abstract art'") pictures. His works also include sets and costumes for the theatre, book illustrations and a number of small sculptures; has written various books including _Mythologie d'André Masson_ 1971. Lives at Aix. [Tate.org.uk](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/andre-masson-1590) `Concepts:` [[Art]] `Knowledge Base:`