Marie LAURENCIN

French　1883 - 1956

Marie Laurencin was born in Paris, France; she was one of the very few female artists who were able to enjoy the same acknowledgement as male artists such as Braque and Picasso in the twentieth century; her works were also selected to be shown regularly with the Cubists, including at the Salon d’automne, Salon des indépendants and with the “Section d’Or” at the Galérie La Boétie. Laurencin’s works were adored by both the western and eastern collectors. Collection of Laurencin’s artworks can be found in museums from Musée de l'Orangerie, Pompidou Centre in Paris to Marie Laurencin in Tokyo, Japan. Her work is primarily female portraits painted in pastel tones, fashion designer Coco Chanel even commissioned Marie Laurencin to paint her portrait, the fame of Laurencin was soon spread amongst the elite circles. In 1923, Laurencin was in charge of creating the sets and costumes for the Russian Diaghilev ballet’s production of Les Biches, the success of this tour prompted her to enter the stage design field, and she was given the title of “Les Biches of the Ecole de Paris.” Laurencin is at the same time a poet, an illustrator, a craftsmen and a talented female painter. Her works of art is loved by the Japanese collectors in the 90s, where the love dedicated to her is formed into a Marie Laurencin Museum located in Shinjuku, Japan.