Influenced by such rich and varied sources as Cranach, Delacroix, Matisse, and Klee and inspired by his friend Jacques Prevert, Max Papart did work intended to open a window into a world that provokes as much thought as pleasure. Subjects include sunny landscapes of the South of France as well as witty collaged portraits.

Working in a Cubist style, he depicted circus scenes, flirting couples, soaring birds, and other cheerful subjects with flat, overlapping planes of contrasting colors and textures which suggest many levels of depth. He often achieved what has been called a "time window" effect, through which the viewer senses the past or future.

This is not to say that Papart is simply a purveyor of superficial enterta...