Juan Gris, a Spanish painter and sculptor, was born on March 23, 1887, in Madrid, Spain. His artistic journey is closely tied to the innovative genre of Cubism, making him one of the most distinctive artists of his time.

Early Life and Education

Gris studied engineering at Madrid's School of Arts and Sciences from 1902 to 1904, contributing drawings to local periodicals during this period. He later studied painting with José Moreno Carbonero from 1904 to 1905. In 1905, he adopted the pseudonym Juan Gris, which would become synonymous with his artistic style.

Cubism and Parisian Life

In 1906, Gris moved to Paris, befriending notable artists like Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, and Fernand Léger. He was heavily influenced by Pablo Picasso, submitting humorous illustrations to journals such as L'Assiette au Beurre, Le Rire, Le Charivari, and Le Cri de Paris. Gris began painting seriously in 1910, developing a personal Cubist style.

Notable Works and Exhibitions

* Guitar in Front of the Sea (1925), a painting that showcases his simplicity and adherence to Cubist ideas. * Hommage à Pablo Picasso (1912), his first exhibition at the Salon des Indépendants. * Exhibitions at the Exposicío d'art cubista, galeríes J. Dalmau in Barcelona; the gallery Der Sturm in Berlin; the Salon de la Société Normande de Peinture Moderne in Rouen; and the Salon de la Section d'Or in Paris.

Legacy and Style

Gris's work is characterized by:

• Clarity and Order: Influencing the Purist style of Amédée Ozenfant and Charles Edouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier).
• Geometric Structure: Evident in his Crystal period, as seen in Still Life before an Open Window, Place Ravignan (1915).
• Synthetic Cubism: Gris's conversion to this style after 1913, with extensive use of papier collé or collage.

Important Links: * View Juan Gris's artworks on WahooArt: [https://WahooArt.com/@/Juan_Gris](https://WahooArt.com/@/Juan_Gris) * Explore the Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias (Spain) collection, featuring European art from the 12th to the early 20th century: [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3ATKT](https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3ATKT) * Discover more about Juan Gris's life and work on Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Gris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Gris)