Paul Crotto

Born in 1922 in New York as the youngest of three children, Paul Crotto grew up in strained circumstances. Drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1942 during the 2nd World War he became a Communication/Coding officer and travelled with the U.S. Naval Group to Chungking, China. In the post-war period, he spent time between Beijing and Shanghai which left a lasting influence on his way of thinking and artistic practice.

Upon returning to the US he studied at the Art Student League in New York City. After graduating in 1949, he travelled to Paris like many other young American artists to further his art education. Paul studied at the workshop of Fernand Léger, one of the major Cubists of the 20th Century, and whose Academy, founded in 1945, was the leading in Paris for Art Education at this time. Fellow students included Le Corbusier, Sam Francis and Nicolas de Staël among others.

After time in Florence where he furthered his art studies at the Instituti d’Artisti, he returned to Paris and 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 and silkscreens in Atelier Lacourière in Montmartre, the same studio used by Picasso and Matisse.

Paul has constantly exhibited his work at several well-known galleries throughout Paris in group shows and solo exhibitions as well as throughout Europe and the U.S.A. In 1963, he was awarded the “Prix International de Villeneuve-sur-Lot” in Paris.

A lifetime of Paul’s work is exclusive to Webbs Fine Art Gallery - and is available here.