Influenced from childhood by his father's passion for Baroque art, he initially gravitated toward lyrical abstraction before discovering German Expressionism. His Berlin training under Karl Hofer complemented his technical apprenticeship, while his closeness to Bertolt Brecht enriched his thinking on artistic commitment.
His emigration to France in 1950 brought him first to Paris and then to Provence, a region that became his definitive home. His encounter with Picasso at his first French exhibition marked a turning point: their collaboration in Vallauris had a lasting influence on his artistic research.
Back in Avignon, he married Gil and went through a difficult period, surviving on subsistence work while painting at night. This precariousness forged his creative determination and nourished the authenticity of his artistic expression.
From 1953-1954, he developed his signature style: the broad black circles that delineate and structure his compositions. This technique reveals a synthetic approach to form, inherited from his Expressionist influences and his encounter with Picasso.
The acquisition of a medieval house in Oppède in 1958 solidified his Provençal roots. The restoration and development of this studio demonstrate his need for architectural authenticity to nourish his creativity. This period saw his work evolve towards a structured symbolism, incorporating geometric forms and mythological motifs.
His death on June 10, 1979, shortly before a retrospective at the Château de Val, deprived art of a creator in full maturity. His last painting, "Le Château de Val," preserved at the château, constitutes a poignant artistic testament.
The Drouot sale of December 2020, including works from his personal collection, confirms the lasting influence of an artist who knew how to combine German expressionist tradition and Mediterranean light in an original plastic synthesis.
