Paul CROTTO (b.1922 New York - d. 2016 Paris)

This series of silkscreens by American artist Paul CROTTO was printed by the artist himself between 1969 - 1973, in Picasso's studio Atelier Lacourière. Silkscreen printing is a traditional technique invented in the 11th century in China and introduced to Europe in the late 18th century.

Paul Crotto was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1942 during the 2nd World War, and in 1945 he graduated in the Midshipman's school in Chicago as a Commissioned Officer. After special training at Harvard University he became a Communication/Coding officer and travelled with the U.S. Naval Group to India and then Chungking, China.

He had already started painting whilst in China, on returning to New York he decided to pursue this path, so he studied at the Art Student League in New York City. After graduating in 1949 Paul travelled to Paris like many other young American artists, to further his art education. Paul studied at the Atelier of Fernand Léger, who is ranked as one of the three major Cubists of the 20th Century, and whose Academy, founded in 1945, was the leading Atelier in Paris for Art Education at this time. Fellow students included Le Corbusier, Sam Francis and Nicolas de Staël, among others.

In 1950, Paul moved to Florence, where he was greatly impressed by Italian Renaissance Art, and furthered his art studies at the Instituti d'Artisti. He stayed there for 2 years learning engraving, bronze casting and diverse painting techniques.

On his return to Paris in 1952, he purchased the atelier just above the Léger Academy, sharing this modest accommodation with the young Bernard Fresson, one of the most famous French cinematic actors in the 20th century. He worked making engraving in Atelier Lacourière, Montmartre and teaching Art at the American School.

Throughout his life, Paul had been constantly exhibiting his work at several well known galleries throughout Paris in group shows and solo exhibitions. It was the famous gallerist Jeanne Castel who finally discovered Paul in 1961. Since then, he has successfully exhibited his art not only in Paris but throughout Europe and the U.S.A.

In 1963 he was awarded the "Prix International de Villeneuve-sur-Lot" in Paris.