87 - André MASSON (1896–1987)

André MASSON (1896–1987) Still Life with Glass and Birds Charcoal and colored pencil drawing, signed lower left. Height: 37 cm; Width: 44 cm Provenance: - Formerly in the Jean Paulhan collection. Jean Paulhan served as director of the NRF from 1925 to 1940 and again from 1953 until his death in 1968. A discoverer of many writers, his interest in painting developed primarily during the Occupation. In 1942, he discovered Georges Braque, followed by Jean Dubuffet and Jean Fautrier; in 1943, he wrote the preface to the catalog for the exhibition organized by René Drouin’s gallery in Paris. Jean Paulhan was at once a collector of paintings, an art critic, and a friend to many artists. His personal collection includes numerous paintings by his friends, as well as portraits of himself and his wife by his contemporaries. In 1974, the RMN organized a major exhibition dedicated to this relationship with artists, titled “Jean Paulhan Through His Painters.” Expert: Élisabeth MARÉCHAUX LAURENTIN | CABINET MARÉCHAUX