French painter born in Villereal, Lot-et-Garonne. After studying at the Academy of Art in Bordeaux Bissiere went to Paris in 1910. He then worked as a journalist for the next four years. Lived in North Africa from 1911-1918. He met Braque in 1921. During this time he studied Cubist works. He published articles on Ingres, Seurat and Corot in 'Esprit Nouveau'. From 1925 to 1938 he taught at the Academie Ranson, where his pupils included Manessier, Le Moal, Bertholle and Vieira da Silva. In 1939 Bissiere contracted an eye complaint which seriously impaired his sight. Retired to a family property in Boissierette. Whilst there he carved many totemistic wooden sculptures and also collaborated with his wife on tapestries with pieces of cloth joined together with needlework. Began to paint again in 1948. In 1952 he was awarded the Grand Prix National des Arts. From 1957 he produced stained-glass windows (e.g. Metz Cathedral, 1960-1). He lived the rest of his life in Boissierette.Bissiere played an important part in the development of the Ecole de Paris after 1945. This was a period when it began to move towards Abstract Expressionism and a great number of his friends and past pupils were also involved with the school at this time. One of the first painters in France to recognise the importance of Paul Klee's work from the 1930's.His early work includes lyrical Cubist works after Braque. Much of his work is based on tapestry designs and often incorporate abstract signs to denote people, birds, stars, church spires, flags etc. His pictures often use warm rich colours including gold, brown, purple and pale green. Lit:'Bissiere' M.P. Fouchet, Paris 1955.Exhibition catalogue, 'Bissiere', Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris 1966.