Léon Tutundjian (Armenian, 1905-1968)

Léon Tutundjian was an Armenian painter and graphic artist who gained success and recognition in France. He was born in Amasya (then in the Ottoman Empire). His father, a physics and chemistry teacher, passed his love for science to his son who would use it in the creation of his artworks. Léon Tutundjian began painting at the age of 14 and studied at the Istanbul School of Fine Arts. He fled from the Armenian genocide at the age of 17 and settled in an Armenian monastery in Venice, but already he was set on moving to Paris.

Léon Tutudjian arrived in Paris in 1924. While working in a ceramics studio he soon befriended fellow artists Ervand Kotchar and David Kakabadzé. Both would have a significant impact on Tutundjian's style. His early works are very diverse spanning from figurative art, to cubism and collage. From 1926 onwards he focuses on geometric and organic abstraction.

In 1928, Tutundjian creates a series of reliefs. These works, as well as his participation in creating the Concrete Art movement, earn him recognition in the Parisian avant-garde circles.

Léon Tutudjian's style changes many times throughout his creative career but remains uniquely his and instantly recognisable. His first personal exhibition at Galerie des Editions Bonaparte, Paris in 1930 was extremely successful. Léon Tutundjian continued to participate in group exhibitions and held solo shows, mainly in France.

Since the artist's death, he has been included in many exhibitions internationally and most recently was commemorated in two solo exhibitions in Barcelona and Madrid in 2019.