Paintings

Jean-Pierre Lagrue

Lagrue studied under artist Raymond Legueult and sculptor Hubert Yencesse. Though he attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts, and completed an apprenticeship in a famous painting restoration atelier, his technique succeeded in keeping a charming primitive touch. He also interpreted with caustic humor famous works of Goya, Manet and the Fontainbleau artists. His first personal exhibition took place in Paris, 1973.

Lagrue's style was defined as "naïve-expressioniste". He expressed his view of life according to his sensibility and discarded many established conditions in art. Lagrue was renowned as a rare, multi-talented artist - dancer and painter. Lagrue's professional dance career spanned from age 11 to 45. He was affiliated with Ballets of Roland Petit and of Jean Christophe Averty. He performed ballets on television for 29 years. Many remember him dancing in the popular Josephine Baker shows. Upon leaving theatre, he turned his talents from the stage to the canvas full-time.

His paintings reflect vibrancy of color, movement, balance, imagination and charm as was associated with his art of dance. His versatility was remarkable - from his "characters" such as "The Gentle Servant of the Fries" to the vibrant cafes filled with people at the "Bistrot Mazarine" or "La Closeri de Lilas", to the humorous yet profound "Destiny Captures the Fragile Equilibrium of Love" where the motorcyclist captures the ballet-dancer lovers and carries them on the tightrope. His imagination and talent were remarkable.