Trees Beside a River

c. 1900

A chance meeting on a train: friendship with Derain

The turning point in Vlaminck's life was a chance meeting on a train to Paris towards the end of his army service: aged 23 and already active in anarchist circles in Paris, he met an aspiring artist, André Derain. Their friendship lasted a lifetime.

1900

A shared studio with Derain in Chatou

Having completed his army service in 1900, Vlaminck rented a studio with Derain, the Maison Levanneur in Chatou, next to the house of Alphonse Fournaise, in whose restaurant Monet, Sisley, Degas and Renoir had gathered thirty years earlier. A year later Derain left to do his own military service.

1901

Overwhelmed at the Van Gogh retrospective

In 1901 Vlaminck visited the Van Gogh retrospective: he wrote that his soul was “overturned by joy and despair” so that he wanted to weep, and declared that he loved Van Gogh that day more than his own father.

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.

1904

A painting at Berthe Weill's gallery

In 1904 one of Vlaminck's paintings found its way into Berthe Weill's gallery.