Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
Oscar M. Domínguez, a Spanish surrealist painter, was born on January 3, 1906, in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. His early life was marked by a serious illness that affected his growth, leading to a progressive deformation of his facial bone frame and limbs. This experience likely influenced his artistic expression.
Artistic Evolution
Domínguez devoted himself to painting at a young age. At 21, he moved to Paris, where he initially worked in the central market of Les Halles and spent his nights frequenting cabarets. He then attended art schools, visited galleries, and museums, drawing inspiration from avant-garde painters like
Yves Tanguy and
Pablo Picasso.
Surrealist Movement and Notable Works
In 1933, Domínguez met André Breton, a surrealist theoretician, and Paul Éluard, a poet of the movement. He participated in the Surrealist exhibition in Copenhagen (1934) and those in London and Tenerife (1936). His notable works include:
- The Infernal Machine (1937), which sold for 2,770,000 FF (US $404,375) at Drouot-Montaigne in Paris on June 8, 2000.
- Roma's Portrait (1933), sold for 902,500 GBP (US $1,469,270) at Christie's in London on February 4, 2014.
Personal Life and Tragic End
Domínguez began an affair with Marie-Laure de Noailles in 1952, who affectionately called him "putchie." Tragically, he committed suicide by slitting his wrists in the bath on December 31, 1957. Marie-Laure arranged for his interment in the Bischoffsheim family mausoleum at the Montparnasse cemetery.
Legacy and Remembrance
Today,
Oscar Domínguez's works can be found in various museums and private collections. His legacy as a Spanish surrealist painter continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike. For more on his life and works, visit
Oscar Domínguez's page on WahooArt.
Remembering the enigmatic Oscar Domínguez, a Spanish surrealist painter whose life was as intriguing as his art.