Born 1920 in Paris – died 1999
French painter and graphic artist
Education
Studied at ”École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs” and travelled to Italy and Algeria to widen his artistic education.
Biography
Jean Messagier first solo exhibition took place in 1943 at the castle in Montbéliard. He was influenced by Klee´s artwork and his contact with the art critic Charles Estienne who already in 1950, felt that the geometric abstraction was leading to a new academicism and was spokesman for a more free and lyric picturesque expression. Messagier made his colours brighter so they almost looked transparent and used wide spontaneous brushstrokes. His landscapes from Franche-Comté, for example ”Après-midi montante” (1958; Eindhoven, Stedel. Van Abbemus.), expressed his sensitivity towards the nature and the seasons of the years rhythm. From 1960 he begins to exhibit abroad and participate in some of the bigger international events as a representative of a new direction in the French painting. He also realized his lithe strokes of the brush to numerous engravings and from 1968 he was influenced by the American pop art.
Børge Birch was very early acquainted with Messagier and they soon became friends. That led to several successful solo exhibitions in Galerie Birch – the first one in 1962 at this was followed by others in 66-77-79. Jean Messagier has also participated in numerous mixed exhibitions in Galerie Birch, amongst others with the COBRA-Movement.
Selected exhibitions and representations
Galerie Arc-en-Ciel, Paris
Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels
Gallery Warren, New York
Tokyo Gallery, Tokyo
Gallery Le Febre, New York
Musée de Montbélliard
Galleria L´Arco, Rome
Prudhoe Gallery, London
Stadelijk Museum, Amsterdam
Galerie Benador, Geneva
Royal Academy of Arts, London
Louisiana, Denmark
Musée National d´art Moderne, Paris
Guggenheim Museum, New York
Museum of Modern Art, Israel
Art Museum, Cincinnati
National Gallery, Johannesburg
Tate Gallery, London
Represented at the following Danish Museum
Randers Kunstmuseum
Email request to Galerie Birch on current artworks for sale
