Victor Brauner, a major figure in surrealism, was born in 1903 in Pietra Neamtz, Romania. His childhood was steeped in mysticism, as his father was a fervent believer in spiritualism, an influence that had a profound effect on his early years. Social unrest forced the Brauner family to flee Moldova for Hamburg in 1907, then to go into exile in Vienna at the start of the Balkan War in 1912, before returning to Romania in 1914 via the Danube.
In 1917, Victor Brauner discovered a passion for painting while continuing his studies at the Evangelical School in Braila, where he developed a particular interest in zoology. His academic career then led him to the School of Fine Arts in Bucharest, where his controversial work led to his expulsion. However, he persevered in his artistic quest by joining the Free Academy of Bucharest, while devoting himself to painting Cézanne-style landscapes on the shores of the Black Sea.
The year 1924 marked a turning point in Brauner's life, when he co-founded the magazine “75 H.P.” alongside the poet Ilarie Voronca, thus introducing the manifesto of “Picto-poetry.” That same year, he held his first solo exhibition at the “House of Art” in Bucharest. His maiden voyage to Paris in 1925 was a revelation, where he discovered the captivating works of Giorgio de Chirico, stimulating his artistic imagination.
His move to Paris in 1930 marked the beginning of a prolific and influential period for Brauner, during which he immersed himself fully in the Surrealist movement. His circle of friends included such iconic figures as Brancusi, Benjamin Fondane, and Yves Tanguy. His work, imbued with symbolism and mystery, depicted strange worlds inhabited by enigmatic creatures.
The year 1938 was marked by a tragic event, almost confirming a premonition in Brauner's work: during an altercation between two other artists, he lost his left eye. This tragedy did not slow his creative momentum, but rather enriched it with a tragic and introspective dimension.
Brauner, constantly moving between Paris and Bucharest, witnessed the turmoil of war, during which time he developed his series of “Chimères” (Chimeras) and “Crépuscules” (Twilights), reflecting the torments of his era.
His temporary exile in the Basses-Alpes during the war marked a turning point in his artistic technique, where he experimented with wax painting, abandoning the third dimension in favor of a more esoteric and symbolic aesthetic. This evolution culminated in the autobiographical cycle “Onomathomanies,” which he began in 1947, a period marked by doubt and pain, but also by reflection on his own self.
Brauner's final years were marked by a joyful and whimsical exploration of mythology, as evidenced by his famous series “Mythology” and “Mother's Day.” His artistic legacy was celebrated during his lifetime, notably through his representation of France at the Venice Biennale in 1966. He passed away in Paris in March of that same year, leaving behind an artistic legacy marked by mystery and fascination.