Marcel Duchamp

Marcel Duchamp (1887–1968), born in Blainville-Crevon, France, was an avant-garde artist whose impact on 20th-century art is profound and multifaceted. Duchamp is best known for his role in developing Dada and conceptual art, particularly through his use of ready-mades—ordinary manufactured objects that the artist selected and modified, as exemplified by his 1917 work "Fountain," a urinal signed "R. Mutt." His approach challenged the traditional functions of the artist and art itself, emphasizing the idea over the aesthetic. Duchamp's legacy includes significant influences on the Fluxus, Pop Art and Minimalist movements, making him a central figure in the narrative of modern art. Read more about Arts.