Francis Picabia was a French avant-garde painter, poet, and provocateur who moved fluidly between Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Dada, and later figurative styles. He’s best known for his radical independence, constantly changing his visual language to challenge artistic conventions and the seriousness of modern art. 

Most popular / best-known work

Udnie (Jeune fille américaine; The Dance) (1913) is widely considered his most famous painting. Created during his Cubist–Futurist phase, it’s a dynamic, abstract composition inspired by movement and modern life. The work became a key example of early abstraction in Paris and New York and helped cement Picabia’s reputation as a bold innovator.