Born in Switzerland, Felix Vallotton settled in Paris in 1882 where he enrolled in the Julian Academy. There he studied graphic arts, lithography and wood engraving, which were the techniques he practised in the early stage of his career. His first artworks were recognisable for their flat and abstract forms as well as vivid colours.
Read MoreFrom 1900 onward, Felix Vallotton moved away from engraving towards painting. He mainly represented nudes, still lives, landscapes, indoor scenes and portraits. They were regularly exhibited: in 1909 at Vallotton's first solo exhibition held in Zurich, in 1910 at the Druet Gallery, and in 1913 at New York's Armory Show.
After World War I, Felix Vallotton went back to engraving. His production endured a lack of interest and he died in 1925 of a cancer. Nowadays, his production is still a subject of fascination, demonstrated by the exhibition held from October 2019 to January 2020 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.