Francis PICABIA (1879-1953)

Other possible identifications: attributed, follower, manner

Born in Paris in 1879 at “82, rue des Petits-Champs”, Francis Picabia died in 1953 at the same address. The only son of a diplomat, he grew up in a wealthy family far from the nonconformist movements he will be attracted to later. In 1905, his paintings were exported abroad following the success of his exhibition at Haussmann gallery. He participated in the Armory Show New York in 1913 with his friend Marcel Duchamp, but his work was mocked by critics, as was often the case in his career. Between Paris, the French Riviera, Barcelona and New York, this great socialite, active in the “Puteaux group” and founder of the review 391, rubbed shoulders with a number of emblematic figures (Laurencin, Gleizes, Apollinaire, Steiglitz, Andre Breton, Tzara …). An eclectic creative, he also saw as many artistic experiences as there are “isms” in the art of the turn of the century. Regardless of freeing himself from all classification, he is considered one of the most radical founders of Modernity. Today, his works animate the contemporary guard (Damien Hirst) and are very sought after, in particular those with the Dada spirit (Udnie, Atrata, the Eye…) and in his period of the “Monsters” (Le Baiser, Les Amoureux…).

In 1905, his paintings were exported abroad following the success of his exhibition at Haussmann gallery. He participated in the Armory Show New York in 1913 with his friend Marcel Duchamp, but his work was mocked by critics, as was often the case in his career. Between Paris, the French Riviera, Barcelona and New York, this great socialite, active in the “Puteaux group” and founder of the review 391, rubbed shoulders with a number of emblematic figures (Laurencin, Gleizes, Apollinaire, Steiglitz, Andre Breton, Tzara …). An eclectic creative, he also saw as many artistic experiences as there are “isms” in the art of the turn of the century. Regardless of freeing himself from all classification, he is considered one of the most radical founders of Modernity. Today, his works animate the contemporary guard (Damien Hirst) and are very sought after, in particular those with the Dada spirit (Udnie, Atrata, the Eye…) and in his period of the “Monsters” (Le Baiser, Les Amoureux…).

Auction results

All auction results	2,741
Drawing-Watercolor	1,436
Painting	1,143
Print-Multiple	161
Tapestry	1

17 results for other identifications

Artworks up for public auction

There are no artworks by Francis PICABIA currently listed in upcoming public auctions

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Enigmatic, paradoxical, unclassifiable, the work of Picabia was a key element in the strong wind of change that emerged in the early 20th century, especially through the Dada movement. A mainstay of the Western art market, Picabia’s work has never been subject to any major price hikes, but his prices have been progressing at a […]

The global figures show phenomenal Art Market growth: +1,700% since the year 2000 in terms of Fine Art auction turnover, with Contemporary art as the market’s principal driver. However, the extraordinary expansion is not evenly spread across the market… as we saw at the various different art fairs recently hosted in Paris. The FIAC’s results […]

Christie’s and Sotheby’s kicked off their 2016 London programmes with sales of Surrealist, Impressionist and Modern art on 2 and 3 February 2016.