Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958) was a French painter best known for his vividly hued landscapes. He is considered an important member of the Fauve movement, and as with the other Fauves Henri Matisse (1869-1954)and André Derain (1880-1954), Vlaminck was influenced by the expressive works of Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Born on April 4, 1876 in Paris, France, he pursued other careers to support himself before deciding to become a painter. Though he was mostly self-taught he did take private lessons from a few academic painters between 1888 and 1893. Reputed by many peers as a brash character, he often spoke of how a career in painting saved him from a life of destitution and crime. His later works are characterized by a monochromatic palette and show the influence of Paul Cézanne (1839-1906).