Yves Corbassière (1925–2020) was a multifaceted French artist renowned for his contributions as a painter, sculptor, engraver, lithographer, and poster designer. Born on May 16, 1925, in Montmartre, Paris, into a family of industrialists, his grandfather founded a tile manufacturing company in 1875, later expanded by his father with factories in Sarreguemines and Paris.

Corbassière’s artistic journey was enriched by his close friendship with Boris Vian, a notable French writer and musician. A significant episode in his early career involved a legal dispute with photographer Robert Doisneau over unauthorized use of images depicting Corbassière in his distinctive checkered Renault 6CV convertible, accompanied by a group of “zazous” in post-war Paris.

Throughout his prolific career, Corbassière produced over 5,000 artworks, gaining considerable recognition in the United States, where his pieces are housed in more than 40 museums. His style was closely associated with American Action Painting, characterized by dynamic brushwork and expressive abstraction.

In addition to his fine art, Corbassière made significant contributions to cinema as a poster designer. His work includes posters for films such as “Le Diable s’en mêle” (1941), “La Femme au portrait” (1944), and “Pigalle-Saint-Germain-des-Prés” (1950). During World War II, he also created a color lithograph for the 1942 “Noël du Maréchal” campaign organized by the Secours National.

Yves Corbassière passed away on April 27, 2020, in Poissy at the age of 94, leaving behind a rich legacy that bridges traditional French artistry and modern abstract expressionism.