The artistic career of André Lhote began in a Bordeaux wood-carving workshop, transitioning from decorative sculpture to a prominent role in the French Cubist movement. Spanning the early to mid-twentieth century, his professional output encompassed painting, graphic arts, and printmaking, supported by a lifelong commitment to teaching and critical writing on art theory.
Early Training and Transition
Born in Bordeaux on 5 July 1885, Lhote entered the école des beaux-arts de Bordeaux in 1898 to study decorative sculpture. This formal training occupied him until 1904, though he increasingly dedicated his personal time to painting. By 1905, he moved into his own studio to pursue his practice independently. His initial aesthetic was shaped by the Fauvist style before he moved toward Cubism, holding his first solo exhibition at the Galerie Druet in 1910.
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In 1912, Lhote joined the Section d'Or group and participated in their exhibitions. Following his military service in the First World War, which ended in 1917, he secured the support of Léonce Rosenberg. Beyond his canvas work, he co-founded the art journal Nouvelle Revue Française in 1918. He remained a consistent contributor to the publication, authoring articles on the theory of art until 1940.
Pedagogical Influence
Lhote exerted significant influence as an educator. He taught at the Académie Notre-Dame des Champs from 1918 to 1920 and later at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. In 1922, he established the Academy André Lhote in Montparnasse. His students included numerous international artists, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Tamara de Lempicka, Anna-Eva Bergman, and Hans Hartung. His pedagogical reach extended globally through lectures in England, Italy, Belgium, Egypt, and Brazil.
Recognition and Legacy
In 1955, Lhote received the Grand Prix National de Peinture. His contributions to the art community were further acknowledged when the UNESCO commission for sculpture appointed him president of the International Association of Painters, Engravers and Sculptors. He was also honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Lhote died in Paris on 24 January 1962 and is buried at Montparnasse Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 July 1885, Bordeaux, France
- Died: 24 January 1962, Paris, France
- Education: école des beaux-arts de Bordeaux
- Primary Movements: Fauvism, Cubism
- Academy André Lhote founded: 1922
- Awards: Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Major Recognition: Grand Prix National de Peinture 1955
- Final Resting Place: Montparnasse Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What subjects did André Lhote paint?
His work featured portraits, landscapes, still life, and figure subjects.
Did Lhote work outside of France during his career?
Yes, he lectured in Belgium, England, Italy, Brazil, and Egypt, where he collaborated with artist Effat Nagy.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
