Marcel Dyf

French 1899 - 1985

Marcel Dyf was born in Paris on 7th October 1899. As a youth he spent his holidays in Paris and Normandy, here he observed the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements which proved a strong influence on his later painting career. In his early twenties Marcel Dyf decided to become an artist. He moved to Arles in Provence where he bought a studio and began zealously painting the inspirational landscapes that were new to him. Marcel Dyf was self-taught as an artist. He remained in Arles for thirteen years before returning to Paris in 1935. During World War II Marcel Dyf joined the Resistance and was based in Correze.After the war Marcel Dyf held exhibitions of his work in some of the major cities in France. In 1950 he acquired a studio in Cannes, here he met his wife, Claudine, in 1954. Claudine was 19 years old, 36 years younger than he. They married in 1956 and she devoted her life to travelling with Marcel Dyf, continually looking for new scenes to paint. Indeed Claudine featured in a large number of Marcel Dyf's paintings. A member of L'Ecole Francais, Marcel Dyf's fame rapidly spread outside his native France and a number of successful exhibitions of his work were held in the USA and Great Britain.Marcel Dyf exhibited widely in France (Salon des Artistes Francais, Salon d'Automne & Salon des Tuilleries) and in the USA and Great Britain.Collections: Smith College Museum of Art, Northhampton, MAMusée Arlaten, Arles, FRANCE Commissioned Murals: Saint Martin-de-Crau (Town Hall)Les Saintes Maries-de-la-Mer(Town Hall)Collège Ampère (Dining Room)