André Mare

André Mare
André Mare (1885–1932)
Born	1885
Died	1932
Nationality	French
Known for	Painting
Movement	Cubism
Elected	French Legion of Honour

Charles André Mare (1885–1932), or André-Charles Mare, was a French painter and designer, and founder of the Company of French Art (la Compagnie des Arts Français) in 1919.

As a soldier in the French Army in World War I, Mare led the development of military camouflage, painting artillery using Cubism techniques to deceive the eye. His ink and watercolour painting Le canon de 280 camouflé (The Camouflaged 280 Gun) shows the close interplay of abstract art and military application at that time. He authored the book Cubisme et Camouflage, 1914–1918.

Mare sketched and painted scenes based on his experiences in World War I. His works include: American Troops Marching Through the Arch of Triumph, 1930, and The Funeral of Marshal Foch, 1931.

As a painter and interior designer after the war, Mare combined his talents with the skills of architect Louis Sue and became a leader in the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century.

Mare was born in Argentan in a typical Normandy family. He had a strict childhood and became a rebellious teenager, galloping on horseback to visit his grandparents or his childhood friend, Fernand Léger to discuss theories of art.

In 1904, he enrolled at the School of decorative arts.

In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants and the Salon d'Automne where he became one of the leading designers.

At the 1912 Salon d'Automne André Mare and Raymond Duchamp-Villon created—in collaboration with Marcel Duchamp, Jean Metzinger, Albert Gleizes, Marie Laurencin, Fernand Léger and Roger de La Fresnaye—La Maison Cubiste, which made his reputation.