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Jean Arp, born Hans Peter Wilhelm Arp, was a German and French poet, painter, graphic artist and sculptor. one of the founders of the Dada movement in Zurich.
Arp used abstract forms in his work and experimented with different materials such as wood, metal and stone. He was also known for his poetic works, in which he applied a method of randomly selecting words, called the "clutter method". Arp believed that this method helped him express his thoughts more precisely and originally. Arp's influence on the arts is still significant today.

Joseph Fernand Henri Léger was a French artist renowned for his innovative approach to Cubism and his transition towards a figurative, populist style. Born in Argentan, Orne, Lower Normandy, Léger's early career was marked by a stint as an architectural draftsman and a series of educational pursuits that eventually led him to Paris, where he embraced painting seriously. His artistic journey was significantly influenced by the bold abstractions of Cubism, characterized by geometric shapes and a vibrant palette, distinguishing his work from his contemporaries with what came to be known as "Tubism".
Léger's service in World War I profoundly impacted his artistic direction, leading him to adopt a 'mechanical' style that depicted the modern industrial world with sleek, tubular forms. This period saw creations like "Soldier with a Pipe" and "The Card Players," reflecting his war experiences and the mechanical aesthetics of the time. The post-war era encouraged Léger to explore the mechanical style further, evident in works like "The Bargeman" and "Mechanical Elements," highlighting the pace of technological advancement.
Throughout his career, Léger's work evolved, notably in the 1920s, where he aligned with Purist ideas, blending classicism with modernity. This phase is exemplified in "Woman with a Cat," showcasing a classical form with a modern, polished finish. By the 1930s, Léger's art took a more figurative, populist turn, aiming to democratize contemporary art and make it more accessible. His commitment to art education, especially for the common worker, underscored his belief in the social role of art.
For those intrigued by Joseph Fernand Henri Léger's groundbreaking contributions to modern art, his works can be found in prestigious museums worldwide. His legacy continues to inspire art collectors and enthusiasts alike. To stay updated on exhibitions and auction events featuring Léger's work, sign up for updates and embrace the unique opportunity to explore the richness of his artistic endeavors.


Prunella Clough was a prominent British artist. She is known mostly for her paintings, though she also made prints and created assemblages of collected objects. She was awarded the Jerwood Prize for painting, and received a retrospective exhibition at Tate Britain.


Jean-Léon Gérôme was a prominent 19th-century French painter, a representative of the academic school of painting. His paintings are notable for their impeccable composition and exquisite colour palette.
Jean-Léon Gérôme did not accept the work of the Impressionists, whom he considered to be the ignominy of French art. This has earned him a controversial reputation as a fierce supporter of academism and a persecutor of new movements.


Grayson Perry is an English contemporary artist, writer and broadcaster. He is known for his ceramic vases, tapestries, and cross-dressing, as well as his observations of the contemporary arts scene, and for dissecting British "prejudices, fashions and foibles".


Oskar Moll was a German post-impressionist painter.
He studied painting in Munich and Berlin, met Henri Matisse in Paris in 1907 and took part in the founding of the Matisse Academy. He later taught at the Art Academy in Düsseldorf, from where he was eventually fired and branded as a propagator of degenerate art, one of his exhibitions was also banned by the Nazis and his works confiscated.
In his paintings, Moll combined linear structures with spaces of color, creating abstract and lyrical landscapes, still lifes and portraits. Contrasting color accents and ornamental motifs enliven the paintings.


Josef Scharl is a German and American painter, illustrator, and graphic designer.
Scharl trained as a decorative painter at the Munich Art School, where he also gained practical experience in painting restoration. He was wounded in the war, and after returning to Munich, he continued his studies at the Kunstakademie. In the 1920s Josef Scharl joined the artist groups New Munich Secession and Juryfreien, successfully participated in their exhibitions, and later became acquainted with the Impressionists.
Writing in the New Objectivity style, Josef Scharl was forced to emigrate to the United States in 1939, and 1944-46 marked the peak of his fame in the United States. He was also commissioned by the publisher Pantheon Books to illustrate the Grimm brothers' fairy tales and other books.

Guillaume Apollinaire, real name Wilhelm Albert Vladimir Apollinaris de Wąż-Kostrowicki, a French poet of Polish descent, was a towering figure in the early 20th century's literary and art scenes. Known for his experimental verse and support of avant-garde art movements like Cubism and Surrealism, Apollinaire's work pushed the boundaries of traditional aesthetics and inspired a generation of artists and writers.
Guillaume Apollinaire's literary contributions were vast and varied. He was an early advocate for Cubism, a relationship most prominently seen in his collaborations with artists like Pablo Picasso. He not only wrote about art but also collected it, surrounding himself with works by modernist masters such as Henri Rousseau and Georges Braque. His Paris apartment was a small museum of modern art, filled with pieces he often sold to support his literary endeavors. This vibrant artistic environment fueled his creativity, leading to major works such as Alcools and Calligrammes, which explored the possibilities of poetic form and typography to represent visual and verbal content in a unified way.
Despite his innovative work in poetry and art criticism, Guillaume Apollinaire's life was marked by personal challenges, including a grievous injury during World War I. Yet, even these difficulties did not hinder his prolific output. Among his notable works during this period was the play Les Mamelles de Tirésias, which was performed in 1917 and is considered a precursor to theatrical Surrealism.
Apollinaire's influence extended beyond his lifetime, particularly through his mentoring of future Surrealist leaders like André Breton. His forward-thinking approach to art and literature made him a central figure in the transition from traditional to modernist forms in both fields.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Guillaume Apollinaire's work represents a nexus of literary brilliance and pivotal artistic movements. His life and work provide fascinating insights into the dynamic and transformative world of early 20th-century art and literature.
Sign up for updates on auctions and sales events featuring items related to Guillaume Apollinaire. Stay informed about opportunities to acquire unique artifacts that celebrate his legacy in the realms of poetry and art.

Paul Bonet, birth name Paul Joseph Ghislain Bonet, is a French bookbinder and bookbinding designer, Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Trained to make fashionable wooden mannequins, Paul Bonet worked in the fashion industry for several years and did not turn to bookbinding until 1920. His bright, colorful designs and prolific work made him famous. His first bindings were exhibited in 1925 at the Gallière Museum, then at the French Book Arts Exhibition, the Salon d'Automne and the Salon des Artistes Décoratifs, and his talent was recognized.
His decoration was particularly innovative. One of the great masters of French bookbinding, Paul Bonet became famous in the 1930s and 1940s for one of his signature patterns, "sunbeams." These patterns consist of many small lines with gold trim, carefully planned and giving the optical illusion of spatial depth.
