The Academie Vassilieff, established by Marie Vassilieff in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, functioned as a critical hub for the local artistic community during the First World War. By transforming the premises into a canteen, she provided affordable sustenance to neighborhood artists, cementing her status as a central, practical force within the Montparnasse creative sphere of the early twentieth century.
Early Education and Artistic Formation
Born in Smolensk in 1884, Marie Vassilieff initiated her formal training at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg. Her professional trajectory shifted toward Western Europe as she pursued further instruction in Paris. During her time in France, she attended the École des Beaux-Arts, where she studied under Henri Matisse, and also participated in classes at the Académie de La Palette. These diverse academic environments provided the foundation for her later work in painting, sculpture, and scenography.
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In 1910, Vassilieff co-founded the Academie Russe in Paris, an institution that facilitated cross-cultural engagement among emerging painters. She eventually moved on from this venture to establish her own school, the Academie Vassilieff. Located in Montparnasse, the school became a notable site of activity. Throughout her career, she aligned herself with the tenets of cubism while exploring various mediums, including puppet design and set construction, demonstrating a wide-ranging technical versatility.
Later Years and Legacy
Marie Vassilieff passed away on May 14, 1957, in Nogent-sur-Marne, where she is also buried. Her physical studio at 21 Avenue du Maine, known as Villa Vassilieff, transitioned into a significant cultural site following her death. The building served as a gallery, a museum under the name Musée du Montparnasse, and a study center, preserving the historical importance of the space where she both lived and worked as a citizen of France.
Fast facts
- Born: 12 February 1884, Smolensk, Russia
- Died: 14 May 1957, Nogent-sur-Marne, France
- Primary Occupations: Painter, sculptor, scenographer, puppet designer
- Artistic Movement: Cubism
- Notable Institutions: Academie Russe, Academie Vassilieff
- Education: Imperial Academy of Arts, Beaux-Arts de Paris, Académie de La Palette
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the Academie Vassilieff during World War I?
Beyond its role as a school, the property was converted into a canteen to serve affordable meals to artists residing in the Montparnasse neighborhood.
What happened to her studio at 21 Avenue du Maine?
The location, known as Villa Vassilieff, was repurposed as a gallery, a museum called the Musée du Montparnasse, and a study center.
Achievements
- Movement: cubism
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