French painter, born in Paris, became a US citizen in 1948. During his military service in the army 1920-2, met the poet Jacques Prévert. Started to paint in 1923, self-taught, after seeing early paintings by de Chirico. Met André Breton in 1925, and participated in events organized by the Surrealists. Made his first solo exhibition in 1927, at the Galerie Surréaliste. In 1928 he exhibits - along with Ernst, de Chirico, Masson and Miró - at the Exposition Surréaliste. His painting is characterised by abstract biomorphic shapes resting or floating in a desert-like or under-water space. Went to the USA in November 1939, the following year married the American painter Kay Sage. Lived first in New York, then from 1942 at Woodbury, Connecticut, where he became friend of Calder and Cornell. He participated on two major Surrealist events in New York in 1942, organized by Duchamp and Breton. He also exhibited at Guggenheim's gallery frequently. Continued to develop the same style, but tended to use more intense colours and architectonic forms which dominated the canvas. Died in Woodbury.
