Maurice de Vlaminck, a Fauve Instinct. Paintings from 1900 to 1915

"What I could only have done in society by throwing a bomb (...), I have tried to do in painting, using pure colours, as they come out of the tube. That way I have satisfied my desire to destroy, to disobey, and to recreate a sensitive, living, free world." Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958) was one of the most radical painters of his generation and one of the creators of Fauvism, marked by bold, seemingly chaotic compositions and the use of intense colour.   ”la Caixa” Community Projects presents the exhibition of works by this artist, who is key in terms of being able to understand the renewal of European avant-garde painting at the beginning of the 20th century. The exhibition focuses on the artist's avant-garde period, from 1900 to the outbreak of World War I, and shows how his work evolved from the early period – influenced by Post Impressionism – to the start of Fauvism and later approximation to Cézanne.   Co-produced by ”la Caixa” Community Projects and sVo Art – the company responsible for managing the Musée du Luxembourg, where, in 2008, the first version of the exhibition was held, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Vlaminck's death – this exhibition includes more than 80 artworks from museums and collections all over the world. In addition to the numerous landscapes he painted in the Seine valley, visitors will be able to see still life paintings and portraits, as well as a collection of ceramics that the artist painted from 1906 onwards. The exhibition also includes a selection of African and Australasian sculptures that were part of Vlaminck's collection and a source of inspiration for Fauvists.   The exhibition Maurice de Vlaminck, a Fauve Instinct. Paintings from 1900 to 1915, curated by Maïthé Vallès-Bled, can be seen at CaixaForum Barcelona (Av. Marquès de Comillas, 6-8) from 3 July to 18 October 2009.