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André Derain is a French painter, sculptor, and illustrator, a central figure of Fauvism and a pioneer of modern art. Born in Chatou, near Paris, Derain studied painting at the Académie Julian before forming a pivotal friendship with Henri Matisse. In the early 20th century, Derain became one of the leading figures of Fauvism, an artistic movement characterized by the use of bright colors and simplified forms. His landscapes and portraits, painted with bold hues and expressive brushstrokes, reflect his desire to liberate color from its representational function. After his Fauvist period, Derain explored different styles, from Cubism to a modern classicism infused with references to ancient art. His still lifes, nudes, and mythological scenes demonstrate his quest for harmony and structure in composition. Throughout his career, Derain collaborated with poets and writers, illustrating works by Guillaume Apollinaire, Max Jacob, and André Breton. His oeuvre, marked by a constant search for balance between tradition and innovation, profoundly influenced 20th-century art.