The Life and Career of Luc Albert Moreau

Luc Albert Moreau was born in Paris, France, on 9 December 1882. His life remained tied to the streets and studios of the French capital, where he continued to work until his death in Paris on 25 April 1948. He was 65 years of age when he passed away.

His hands were accustomed to many different tools and surfaces. While he is often identified as a painter, his daily practice involved the precise work of a graphic artist and illustrator. He spent much of his career working with the heavy stone of the lithographer and the sharp, biting lines of the etcher. This variety of technical skills allowed him to move between large canvases and the more intimate, detailed requirements of printmaking and book illustration.

In the early years of the twentieth century, his presence was felt in international circles. Between 1910 and 1911, he participated in the first inaugural exhibition of the Knave of Diamonds in Moscow, contributing three canvases titled Groupe, Tête, and Paysage. Later in his life, his work was included in the painting event at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

Notable Artworks and Artistic Contributions

Early in his career, Moreau traveled to Moscow for the first inaugural exhibition of the Knave of Diamonds between 1910 and 1911. He brought three canvases to the show: Groupe, Tête, and Paysage. His brushwork continued to evolve through the following decades, moving from these early studies to more specific subjects. In 1919, he produced La Brésilienne, and by 1926, his hand was part of the collective work En suivant la Seine.

His later years saw a focus on varied subject matter, from the physical tension of Physiologie de la boxe in 1929 to the literary connection found in Les Cahiers de Colette (volume III), which appeared around 1935/1936. Even as his career progressed, his presence in the art world remained steady, eventually reaching the painting event in the art competition at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

• La Brésilienne (1919)
• En suivant la Seine (1926)
• Physiologie de la boxe (1929)
• Les Cahiers de Colette (volume III) (about 1935/1936)

Works Held in Museum Collections

Several of Moreau's pieces have found permanent homes in various galleries. At The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, one can find Head of a Woman. The Fitzwilliam Museum holds two distinct works: Seated woman with a fan and The Knock-out.

The Museum of Fine Arts Boston maintains a collection of his works as well. This includes Le Bibliophile, Le Jongleur, and Physiologie de la boxe, which dates to 1929.