Abstract Art

French painter born in Villereal, Lot-et-Garonne.
After studying at the Academy of Art in Bordeaux Bissiere went to Paris in 1910. He then worked as
a journalist for the next four years. Lived in North Africa from 1911-1918.
He met Braque in 1921. During this time he studied Cubist works. He
published articles on Ingres, Seurat and Corot in 'Esprit Nouveau'. From
1925 to 1938 he taught at the Academie Ranson, where his pupils included
Manessier, Le Moal, Bertholle and Vieira da Silva.

In 1939 Bissiere contracted an eye complaint which seriously impaired his
sight. Retired to a family property in Boissierette. Whilst there he carved
many totemistic wooden sculptures and also collaborated with his wife on
tapestries with pieces of cloth joined together with needlework. Began to
paint again in 1948. In 1952 he was awarded the Grand Prix National des
Arts. From 1957 he produced stained-glass windows (e.g. Metz Cathedral,
1960-1). He lived the rest of his life in Boissierette.

Bissiere played an important part in the development of the Ecole de Paris
after 1945. This was a period when it began to move towards Abstract
Expressionism and a great number of his friends and past pupils were also
involved with the school at this time. One of the first painters in France
to recognise the importance of Paul Klee's work from the 1930's.

His early work includes lyrical Cubist works after Braque. Much of his work
is based on tapestry designs and often incorporate abstract signs to denote
people, birds, stars, church spires, flags etc. His pictures often use warm
rich colours including gold, brown, purple and pale green. ...

(PLease Login to see the complete biography.)