Morgan Russell was an American artist born on January 25, 1886, in New York City. He was one of the key figures in the development of Synchromism, an early abstract, modernist movement. Russell studied at the Art Students League of New York but soon moved to Paris to further his education. In Paris, he attended the atelier of Fernand Léger and was also influenced by the work of Henri Matisse.
Russell's experimentation with color and form led to the creation of Synchromism alongside fellow artist Stanton Macdonald-Wright in 1912. Synchromism was based on the idea that color and form are inherently linked and that pure abstraction could be achieved through the harmonious arrangement of color. Russell's Synchromist paintings often featured a central vortex or spiral, from which emanated a symphony of colors intended to mimic musical compositions.
The outbreak of World War I forced Russell to return to the United States, where he continued to work and exhibit his art. During the 1920s, his style evolved, and he began incorporating more figurative elements into his works. However, he struggled with financial difficulties and health problems, which hampered his artistic output.
In the later years of his life, Russell's work was largely forgotten, and he lived in relative obscurity. He returned to France, where he lived until his death on May 29, 1953, in Broomfield, Colorado. It was not until after his death that Morgan Russell's contribution to modern art and the Synchromism movement began to be fully recognized and appreciated.
