France

Throughout its history, France has been home to a number of important artists, it has been the birthplace of groundbreaking art movements and, of course, many world famous paintings and artworks have been created on French territory. French artists have always managed to surprise us with their creativity and artistic practice which often combines philosophy, artistic creation, and social commentary.

Today, French art is flourishing and holds a privileged place within the international art market. Eclectic and diverse, French artists are successful not only in the world of visual arts but also in illustration, music and even cinema. Moreover, France continues to be one of the world's major artistic centres. This was especially the case during the twentieth century when great masters like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall came to the thrilling cultural capital, Paris. 

Contemporary artists Philippe Pasqua magnifies vulnerable faces and bodies through large paintings and JR chooses open spaces and urban environment to display giant photographic with the aim of denouncing problematic political, economic, and social actions. 

Robert Combas and Hervé Di Rosa, French contemporary painters, are the main instigators of the French “Figuration Libre" movement, which encouraged a renewal of figurative painting in the 1980s. Their artworks revolve around freedom: they deal with the themes of society, violence, sexuality, human suffering and borrow elements from rock music, comics and graffiti. 

French street art is a growing movement that is spreading worldwide, you can now find artworks by French artists in the world's biggest cities. Jef Aérosol remains one of the pioneers and leaders of this impermanent art form with his portraits of celebrities and his series devoted to anonymous people he meets in the streets. Artists like Blek le Rat, Jérôme Mesnager, Ernest Pignon Ernest have cemented the Street Art movement in France, and today their artworks are highly prized on the art markets. A little more provocative and feminist, Miss Tic denounces gender stereotypes and inequalities with her works featuring rebellious women… Get inspired by the irresistible “French Touch" with this unique selection!