Harlequin Aizpiri
Paul Aïzpiri ( 1919-2016)
"Harlequin" Painting, Oil on canvas, 65 x 50 cm Signed lower left "Aïzpiri"
About the artist
Son of a sculptor, Paul Aïzpiri belongs to this generation of artists who experienced the heyday of Montparnasse and Saint Germain. When he was a child, his mother took him to rue Campagne-Première, to the restaurant "chez Rosalie", a friend she had known in her native village of Athina, in Italy. While the two women were discussing, Aïzpiri observed the walls of the restaurant. They were covered with paintings with which poor artists had paid for their meals: Utrillo, Modigliani ... However, Aizpiri does not escape the family tradition. After studying at the Boulle School and working at the National Workshops, he entered the School of Fine Arts. From 1943, he exhibited in Paris. Working during the day, painting in the evening and at night, Aïzpiri had a difficult start.