A. Coste (1896-1985), Abstract Composition, Watercolor And Ink On Paper, Signed On The Right.

Albert Coste was first introduced to music by his mother, a musician. In 1909, he took classes at the Beaux Arts in Marseille and at the music conservatory. A tram accident in 1916 forced him to have the index and middle fingers of his left hand amputated. He was permanently discharged, and his career as a cellist was compromised. From then on, he devoted himself more particularly to painting and continued his studies in Paris in Cormon's studio. From 1920, he took part in numerous group exhibitions and Salons in Paris and Aix-en-Provence, met Maurice Denis and frequented his studio. With the latter, he created the frescoes for the Thonon chapel. In 1922, he settled near Aix while continuing to take part in the main group exhibitions in Paris (Indépendants, Réalités Nouvelles, Salon d'Automne, etc.). In 1933, in Aix-en-Provence, the artist held his first solo exhibition, presented by Maurice Denis. In 1935 he was appointed professor at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Aix en Provence. In 1941/1942, he met Albert Gleizes in Saint Rémy de Provence and remained closely linked to him until his death. Gleizes notably presented the exhibition of his works in 1942 in Aix. For his part, from 1953 to 1956, he organized exhibitions to promote the work of Gleizes and his disciples. He created numerous decorations for public buildings, particularly the Faculty of Law in Aix, whose architect was Fernand Pouillon. Albert Coste participated in a group exhibition with Gleizes, Delaunay, Villon, Herbin, Léger and in 1967 with Calder, Masson, Messagier. Initially painting still lifes and various subjects in a spirit close to Gauguin and the Nabis, he then embarked on the path of abstraction, with compositions very close to Gleizes, then in agreement with his general spirit of post-war French abstraction, around Bissière, Manessier, Lapicque. His works are today preserved at the Albert Gleizes Foundation in Paris, at the Longchamp Museum in Marseille, at the Réattu Museum in Arles, at the Carpentras City Museum, ... Gouache on paper, signed, framed.