André Lhote

French, 1885-1962

André Lhote was born in 1885 in Bordeaux, France, and began his career as a decorative sculptor before turning to painting in the early 1900s. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux and moved to Paris in 1906, where he became increasingly engaged with modernist movements and participated in the influential Salon d’Automne.

Initially influenced by Fauvism, Lhote soon aligned himself with the Cubists, bringing a structured, analytical approach to form and composition. Unlike many of his peers, he sought a balance between classical order and modern abstraction. His work retained figuration and often featured nudes, port scenes, and architecture, all filtered through a formal lens.

Beyond his studio practice, Lhote was a prolific teacher and writer. He opened the Académie André Lhote in Montparnasse in 1922, attracting students from around the world and influencing a generation of artists, including Tamara de Lempicka and Henri Cartier-Bresson. His teaching emphasized harmony, proportion, and the intellectual foundations of visual art.

Lhote exhibited widely throughout his career and contributed to numerous publications on art theory. He remained active in both painting and pedagogy until his death in 1962, leaving a legacy defined by formalism, international influence, and a commitment to making modern art accessible through education.