Émile Othon Friesz

Othon Friesz, whose full name is Achille-Émile Othon Friesz, was born on February 6, 1879 in Le Havre, France, and died on January 10, 1949 in Paris. He is a French painter renowned for his role in the Fauvist movement, although he later adopted a more classical style.

Othon Friesz comes from a family of sailors and traders. He entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Le Havre where he met Raoul Dufy, who would become a friend and collaborator. In 1897, Friesz moved to Paris to continue his studies at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, where he studied under Léon Bonnat.

Friesz was drawn to the Fauvist movement, which was characterized by the bold use of bright, non-naturalistic colors. He exhibited with the Fauves, notably with Henri Matisse, André Derain, and Maurice de Vlaminck. However, his adherence to this style was relatively brief. After this Fauvist period, Friesz adopted a more moderate and classical style, influenced by the old masters. He moves towards a more structured and balanced painting, with a more restricted color palette. He traveled a lot, notably to Italy, where he studied Renaissance works.

Throughout his career, the painter taught at several art academies, influencing a generation of young artists. Additionally, he was a member of the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris and also taught at the Académie Moderne.

Friesz's works are varied and include landscapes, still lifes and portraits. Among his best-known paintings are: "The Beach at Honfleur", “The Port of Fécamp", and "Still Life with Apples".

Othon Friesz is considered an important artist of the early 20th century, having played a key role in the transition between academic art and modern movements. Although he is not as famous as some of his contemporaries, his work continues to be studied and appreciated for its unique contribution to modern art. Friesz's works are present in numerous public and private collections around the world, including the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Tate Gallery in London.

Friesz is buried in the Montparnasse cemetery in Paris.