MARIE LAURENCIN

French painter, designer, illustrator, etcher and lithographer. Born in Paris. Studied at the Academie Humbert, where Braque was a fellow pupil. Met Picasso, Andre Salmon and Apollinaire; influenced by Picasso and Matisse, and began to paint pictures mainly of sloe-eyed girls in a decorative, arabesque-like style. Painted 'Apollinaire, Picasso and their Friends' 1909. Though never a true Cubist, was included at Apollinaire's request in the first group manifestation of Cubism at the Salon des Independents 1911. First one-woman exhibition at the Galeries Barbazanges, Paris, 1912. Spent 1914-20 in Spain and Germany, then returned to Paris. Illustrated a number of books with etchings, lithographs or watercolours; also designed sets and costumes for the ballet and the theatre, including Diaghilev's "Les Biches" in 1924, and dresses and textiles for the couturier Poiret, etc. Died in Paris.

--Tate Gallery