Please note: Artists not classified as American in our database may have limited biographical data
compared to the extensive information about American artists.
Pierre de Belay was born in Quimperle, France, December 11, 1890 and
died in Paris in 1947. In 1919, upon his demobilization, Pierre de
Belay took up residence in Paris, and stayed there for the rest of his
life. His quarter was Montparnasse. In 1925, he found a
studio on rue de L'Armorique. Then in 1937, he moved to rue
Proidevaux where his studio overlooked Montparnasse.
Painters
and writers had left Montmartre several years before for Montparnasse.
The life of "Montparnassians" during this "wild age" has often been
recounted through the destinies of Chagal, Soutine, Modigliani, Pasein
or Kisling, and through life in numerous studios of the 14th district,
particularly at the Ruche, nightclubs like Bal Negre and the Jockey at
the Vavin intersection and cafes like Rotonde, the Coupole, and the
Dome on the Boulevard Montparnasse, which was invaded by artists and
socialites. Pierre frequented this motley milieu, which for him
would be an extraordinary source of inspiration.
From 1923-1926, he illustrated the magazine Harlequin,
periodical of arts and spectacles, particularly the column "Pairs sups
and Dines". He was already making the most of his virtuosity in
drawing. At the same time, through painting he was beginning to
treat various subjects that would be his for years.
In the same
year, after exhibiting at the Rontonde in 1930, he would have a great
success at a private exhibition at the Gulot Gallery. Belay
exhibited 50 works depicting Scenes of Parisian Life. The State
bought the painting, At the Cobbler's. It was this exhibition that established Pierre de Belay's reputation and insured him a successful career.
Museums: Bordeaux, Brest, Orleans, Ostende, Paris, Quimper
Bibliography:
Gerald Schuss: Pierre de Belay (Revue Modern, Paris, 1972).
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