François Desnoyer

1894-1972

François Desnoyer was born in Montauban in 1894.

He enrolled in l’École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1913 where he studied with Bourdelle. He later became a professor at that same school. He was mobilized in the infantry in World War One; he was wounded three times.

Beginning in 1922, Desnoyer exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Indépendants, and Salon d’Automne. He exhibited the Salon des Artistes de ce Temps in the group Gromaire-Lipchitz.

Desnoyer had one man shows at Galerie Drouant-David and Galerie Guiot. He exhibited at Marlborough Gallery and Adams Gallery in London.

He designed decorations for both l’Exhibition Universalle de Paris, 1925 and 1937, where he won a gold medal.  He won many other important prizes including the Prix Blumenthal in 1933, Grand Prix at the Biennale de Menton in 1955, and gold medal at l’Exposition Universelle de Bruxelles.

Desnoyer synthesized Cubism and Fauvism, but he is defined by his use of unusual perspective.  Like Gromaire and Goerg, his works between the wars are Expressionistic.  His color palette and brush strokes have boldness, showing the strength of conviction that comes with an intimacy with his subjects.  Whether painting a nude, a port scene or a portrait, Desnoyer’s distinctive personality is evident.

Desnoyer’s works are in many museums throughout France, including a gallery that is devoted to his works at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. His works can be found in museums in Prague and Madrid.