Background
Charles Despiau was born on November 4, 1874, in Mont-de-Marsan, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. His father, like his grandfather, was a plasterer. His brother, eight years older, accidentally died at the age of 17.
Charles Despiau was born on November 4, 1874, in Mont-de-Marsan, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. His father, like his grandfather, was a plasterer. His brother, eight years older, accidentally died at the age of 17.
Charles Despiau completes his school studies in his hometown, showing no particular skills, except in drawing and plastic arts. In 1891, at the age of seventeen, Charles Despiau settled in Paris to study at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs and take a stone-cutting apprenticeship. Three years later, he entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. At that time, he admired Rodin’s work but wasn’t influenced by it.
From 1898, Charles Depiau was a regular participant in the Salon des Artistes Français, where he exhibited figures and busts, but soon he quit it. The works he showed drew the attention of Claude Roger-Marx, an art critic, and of Georges Werner, a friend of Rodin who was also an important member of the Beaux-Arts ministry. In 1907, Rodin, who had seen many of his works and was confident with his talent, employed him in his studio.
Despiau was drafted into the army from 1914 to 1919. In the years that followed the war, he endured severe financial problems but managed to regain a steady income, thanks to his friends André Derain, Maurice de Vlaminck and André Dunoyer de Segonzac. At that time, Despiau worked under contract for the Barbazanges Gallery.
Charles Despiau also joined in the Salon d’Automne exhibition, and started teaching at the Grande Chaumière. In 1927, the Brummer Gallery in New York hosted his first personal exhibition abroad, and he was appointed teacher at the Scandinavian Academy. His works then travelled from Brussels to Chicago, The Hague or London. In 1937, the Petit Palais held an exhibition entitled Masters of Independent art, which included fifty-two sculptures by Despiau.
Charles Despiau was never interested in politics, which fact prevented him from receiving state commissions.
Charles Despiau was a member of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. In 1901, he joined in the group of independent sculptors and became a member of the "Bande à Schnegg".
In 1904, Charles Despiau was passionately in love with Marie Rudel, later they married. Marie Rudel was a very good-looking woman, who inspired his first portraits. The beginning of their married life was particularly difficult. Charles Despiau did not earn enough to cope with the household expenses.
