André Masson

French Surrealist painter and graphic artist.(http://www.marquette.edu/haggerty/press/black.html 8-12-09)André Masson (b. Balagne, France, 1896-1987)André Masson’s association with artists André Breton, Joan Miró, and Max Ernst, has often led him to being grouped him with the French Surrealist movement. Although Masson’s early work explored surrealistic themes, he was not limited to this particular movement. In 1924, Masson had his first solo exhibition at Daniel Henry Kahnweiler’s Galerie Simon in Paris. Two years later, his work was exhibited at Galerie Surrealiste, and in 1936, he exhibited fourteen works at the International Surrealist Exhibition in London. In 1941, Masson left France for the United States, where he began to explore mythological themes in his paintings. Although he is most well known for his paintings, Masson’s close friendships with writers led him to work in print media as well. In 1924, Masson collaborated with poet George Limbaud on Soleils Bas, a book of poems and etchings. Shortly after, Masson published a second book called Simulacre. This was co-created by the poet Michel Leiris, and included seven lithographs by Masson.