Albert Gleizes was a French artist, theoretician, philosopher, a self-proclaimed founder of Cubism and an influence on the School of Paris. Born in Paris on December 8, 1881, Gleizes began his artistic career as a professional cyclist, an occupation that would only last until his full commitment to art. He initially painted in an Impressionist manner, but his work underwent a significant change after he saw the works of Henri Rousseau and Neo-Impressionists such as Georges Seurat.
Gleizes' art took a dramatic turn after he encountered the work of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, and he became one of the earliest and most enthusiastic adopters of Cubism. Together with Jean Metzinger, Gleizes wrote 'Du Cubisme' in 1912, one of the first major treatises on Cubist theory. This publication became a manifesto for the movement and helped to popularize Cubism among the artistic communities across Europe.
During World War I, Gleizes served in the military, and this experience, coupled with his spiritual and social beliefs, influenced his work significantly. Post-war, his art evolved into a more abstract style, and he became interested in social issues, incorporating his views into his work and writings.
Gleizes continued to paint and write, and he also helped to organize artistic communities, including the Abbey of Créteil. He was deeply involved in the Moly-Sabata commune in the 1920s, which sought to integrate art and life, and he converted to Catholicism, which further influenced his work.
Throughout his career, Gleizes did not just focus on painting but was also involved in stage design, book illustration, and mural creation. His later work often explored the relationship between art, music, and poetry, reflecting his multidisciplinary interests.
Albert Gleizes passed away in Avignon, France, on June 23, 1953. He left behind a legacy as one of the pioneers of Cubism and an artist who continually sought to integrate art into the fabric of society. His contributions to the art world include not only his paintings but also his efforts to theorize and explain the principles behind the artistic movements he was a part of.
