Marie Laurencin (1883–1956) was a major French painter, printmaker, and illustrator of the 20th century, celebrated for her dreamlike, poetic, and unmistakably feminine universe. A unique figure in the Parisian avant-garde, she became one of the few women to leave a lasting mark on the Cubist movement, all while developing a personal, immediately recognizable style.

An Artistic Path of Refinement and Independence

Born in Paris on October 31, 1883, Marie Laurencin began her artistic training at the École de Sèvres, then continued at the Académie Humbert, where she formed a close friendship with Georges Braque. It was within the vibrant artistic hub of the Bateau-Lavoir—alongside Pablo Picasso, Guillaume Apollinaire, Fernande Olivier, and André Derain—that she began to forge her singular artistic vision.

She quickly stood out with a soft, refined, and graceful style, moving away from radical Cubism to create her own poetic world, populated by melancholic women, doves, and intimate scenes bathed in soft pastel tones.

A Style Like No Other

Marie Laurencin’s work is characterized by a subtle palette of pinks, blues, and pearly greys, and by a constant search for lightness and elegance. Her female figures, often portrayed in groups, evoke gentleness, tenderness, and a sense of mystery.

She succeeded in developing a deeply modern and feminine aesthetic—both soft and assertive—that broke away from the dominant male codes of her time. Today, her art, both figurative and stylized, is experiencing a renewed interest in the contemporary art market.

An International Career and Coveted Works

After spending time in exile in Spain during World War I, Marie Laurencin resumed her career in Paris and collaborated with leading cultural figures. She illustrated literary works by Paul Verlaine and Alain-Fournier, designed costumes and sets for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, and exhibited in the most prestigious galleries in Paris, London, New York, and Tokyo.

Her works are now held in major international collections, including the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and the Marie Laurencin Museum in Tokyo, which is entirely dedicated to her legacy.

A Must-Have Signature on the Art Market

As a key figure of feminine modernity, Marie Laurencin holds a prominent place in international auctions and galleries. Her works on paper, lithographs, and paintings continue to attract collectors with their refinement, visual softness, and rarity.

Why Collect Marie Laurencin?

1. A unique and timeless style, instantly recognizable
2. A trailblazing female artist, still too often underestimated
3. Rising value on the art market, for both major works and limited editions
4. A poetic and sensitive aesthetic that resonates with a wide audience

Discover our curated selection of works by Marie Laurencin on Art Shortlist, and let yourself be captivated by the timeless elegance of an artist who made her voice heard in the history of modern art.