Chaim Soutine

Chaim Soutine was born on January 13, 1893, in Smilavichi, then part of the Russian Empire and now in Belarus, in a poor Jewish family. He was the tenth of eleven children. His interest in art developed early, but local conventional laws restricted his pursuit because of religious prohibition against representing the human face.

In 1911, Chaim Soutine moved to Paris, which was a center for artists from all over the world. He arrived to study at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts under the tutelage of Fernand Cormon. In Paris, he would meet and befriend other soon-to-be-famous artists like Marc Chagall and Amedeo Modigliani. These relationships and his exposure to the Parisian art scene were formative to his career.

In 1922, art collector Dr. Albert C. Barnes discovered Soutine's works at Paul Guillaume's gallery in Paris. Barnes purchased around 60 of Soutine's paintings, leading to Soutine's rise to fame in the art world. This significant acquisition provided Soutine with financial stability and notoriety, marking the beginning of his international recognition.

In 1925, Soutine had a solo exhibition at the Galerie Bing in Paris. This event was crucial for solidifying his presence in the art world. The exhibition showcased his innovative style that combined elements of Impressionism and Expressionism, drawing significant attention from critics and collectors alike. It confirmed his status as a prominent artist of his era.

In 1937, Chaim Soutine's work was included in an important exhibition at the Jeu de Paume in Paris, which gathered contemporary French artists. This exhibition further established him as a central figure in the French avant-garde art movement. His unique brushwork and vibrant colors were celebrated, and he gained recognition from both peers and art critics.

Despite being a successful artist, Soutine faced severe danger during World War II because of his Jewish heritage. In 1940, as Nazi Germany began its occupation of Paris, Soutine fled to the countryside. He remained on the run, often hiding from the Gestapo, but still managed to continue painting throughout this turbulent period of his life.

Chaim Soutine died on August 9, 1943, during a surgery to treat a bleeding ulcer. The absence of timely medical attention, exacerbated by his constant need to hide during the German occupation of France, contributed to his health issues. His death marked the end of a tumultuous life but left behind a powerful artistic legacy still influential to this day.

In the 1950s, Chaim Soutine's work began to receive posthumous recognition, and he was subject to his first major retrospective exhibitions, first in Paris and then internationally. Critics and art historians began rigorously analyzing his contribution to modern art, cementing his legacy as a significant figure in expressionist painting.

In 1955, the Museum of Modern Art in New York held a major retrospective of Chaim Soutine's work. This exhibition played a key role in advancing American appreciation of Soutine's art, highlighting his innovative techniques and emotional intensity. It was an important moment in reinforcing Soutine's international reputation and influence.

In 1998, a significant exhibition titled "Chaim Soutine: French Expressionist" was held at the Jewish Museum in New York. This exhibition brought renewed interest to Soutine's work and explored his influence on French Expressionism. It was a comprehensive retrospective that included many of his notable works, inviting new scholarship and appreciation.