André Biéler was born in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1896. He, along with his family, immigrated to Canada in 1908. He studied at the Institut Technique de Montréal before enlisting in the Canadian Army to fight in World War I. After returning injured from the war, he spent time healing in Florida and studied art under Harry Davis Fluhart (1861-1938). Before returning permanently to Canada in 1926, he spent time in New York at the New York Art Students League under Charles Rosen (1878-1950) and Eugene Speicher (1883-1962). From 1922 to 1926, Biéler studied with his uncle, painter and muralist, Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). While in Switzerland he went to Paris, studying at the Académie Ranson under Maurice Denis (1870-1943) and Paul Sérusier (1864-1927). He met and had friendships with Edwin Holgate (1892-1977) and A.Y. Jackson (1882-1974) from the Group of Seven. He was an artist in residence at Queen's University in Kingston and taught courses in art history, art appreciaton and studio art. Biéler is best know for his his "modernist approach" to genre scenes of Québec rural life in his paintings, prints, sculptures and murals. He died in Kingston, Ontario in 1989.
20th cent.