About the artist: Raoul Dufy
Raoul Dufy (1877–1953) was a French painter and designer known for his vibrant depictions of leisure scenes and cityscapes. Influenced by Monet and Fauvism, especially Matisse, Dufy developed a light, colorful style using fluid washes and bold, calligraphic lines. He believed blue to be the truest color, maintaining its character across all shades.
Born in Le Havre, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and later under Léon Bonnat in Paris. After discovering Fauvism in 1905, he adapted its vivid palette to his own lyrical approach. Dufy painted Mediterranean views, regattas, and races, and also worked in ceramics, tapestries, and large-scale murals.
Awarded the International Grand Prix at the 1952 Venice Biennale, Dufy died a year later in Forcalquier. His works are now held in major museums worldwide, including the Musée d’Orsay, MoMA, and the Hermitage. We are very happy to include some of his works in our collection.
