Баржи на сене

1902–1903

Novels illustrated by Derain

In 1902 and 1903 Vlaminck wrote several mildly pornographic novels illustrated by Derain. He painted during the day and earned his living by giving violin lessons and playing with bands at night.

1905

Experiments with “deconstruction”

In 1905 Vlaminck began to experiment with “deconstruction”, turning the physical world into dabs and streaks of colour that convey a sense of motion, as in “The Chatou Bridge”, “The Potato Pickers”, “The River Seine at Chatou” and “The Orchard”.

1905

The Salon d'Automne: the birth of the “Fauves”

In October 1905 Vlaminck exhibited at the controversial Salon d'Automne alongside Matisse, Derain, Marquet, Manguin, van Dongen, Camoin and Puy. Seeing their boldly coloured canvases, the critic Louis Vauxcelles disparaged the painters as “fauves” (wild beasts), and the name stuck to the movement.

1906

Ambroise Vollard buys his paintings

In 1906 the Paris dealer Ambroise Vollard began buying Vlaminck's paintings.

1907

First solo exhibition at Vollard's

In 1907 Vlaminck held his first exhibition at Ambroise Vollard's gallery.

1908

Turning to Cézanne

From 1908 Vlaminck's palette grew deeper and richer, and the predominant influence became that of Cézanne.