MANESSIER Alfred

(1911-1983)

Manessier began his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Amiens, then joined the architecture program at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1930. He quickly developed an interest in painting and took classes at the Académies libres de Montparnasse. Manessier worked at the Académie Ranson in Roger Bissière’s studio alongside his friend Jean le Moal.

In 1932, during his first trip to the Netherlands, he discovered the work of Piet Mondrian, which would greatly influence him and push his art in the direction of abstraction. He then began associating with avant-garde artists such as the Delaunays, and his works became less and less figurative. With Delaunay, he contributed to the design of the Aviation and Railways Pavilion, created for the 1937 International Exposition in Paris.

Manessier regularly exhibited his work at various Parisian art shows, including the Salons des Indépendants, the Salon des Jeunes Artistes, the Salon des Tuileries, and the Salon d’Automne, among others.