Yves Tanguy was a leading Surrealist painter. His work is considered the purest strain of Surrealism in painting, for his artworks suggest other-worldliness and eerie circumstances. He was primarily a self-taught artist whose career inspired young Surrealists and furthered the automatism approach.
Tanguy was a self-taught Surrealist painter, who began his career in the fine arts later in life. After serving in World War I, he was profoundly impacted by his relationship with Surrealist poet, Jacques Prevert. After spending time in Africa, Tanguy returned to Paris where he focused on painting.
After being inspired by the work of Giorgio de Chirico, Tanguy produced his first work in the Expressionist manner. He soon aligned himself with the Surrealist Movement. His works portrayed awkwardly graceful figurative references with smoke and fog, which were characteristics of the period.
After his first exhibition, Tanguy solidified his reputation as a Surrealist artist. As an early Surrealist, he focused on automatism-the act of spontaneous drawing and/or painting. He later produced contemplative works, which focused on the links between figures that emerge from metaphysical space.
In his late career, Tanguy moved to America where he became a citizen in 1948. However, he did not find the recognition in America that he was accustomed to in Paris, for he was overshadowed by Salvador Dali. His late works were inspired by rock formations he encountered throughout his travels.
January 5, 1900 – January 15, 1955
French Painter
Oxford Art Online: Tanguy, Yves: http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T083251?q=Yves+Tanguy&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit
Oxford Art Online: Automatism: http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T005221
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