Raoul Dufy’s work is classic of the Fauvism period and his paintings had a colourful, decorative flair which became very popular for use on ceramics and textiles. He is best known for his work depicting images of open-air social events, however he also worked as a printmaker, book illustrator, draftsman, a designer of furniture, a scenic designer and a planner of public spaces. Dufy left school at age 14 and he took evening art classes when he was 18. He completed a year of military service and then the following year in 1900 he won a scholarship to École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he met Othon Friesz, a fellow French artist of the Fauvist movement.
