ANDRE DERAIN

André Derain was most famous for being a member of the Fauves, a modernist movement headed by Matisse. The Fauves were named because of the savage nature of the bright colour used by the artists. From 1898 to 1900 he shared a studio with Matisse and Vlaminck. Derain was involved in several avant-garde art movements of the early 20th century. Born in Chatou, near Paris, he studied engineering as a young man. After 1908, Derain began to experiment with other styles. The influence of the First World War and the paintings Paul Cézanne led him to prefer quieter colours and more controlled compositions.