I photographed this primate-style poster as I was in the metro on my way to the Picasso Museum.  Picasso made a series of provocative primative paintings inspired by traditional African masks.  Picasso did not create "primitive" art.  In fact when Picasso so the original primative paintings in the caves of  he was so impressed and astounded that he said: 

 

"We have learned nothing!"   

 

Nonetheless, Picasso also was inspired by other artists, even cave dwellers.  That's why the title above says it all.  In my opinion, speaking as a French Expressionist, everything really does always come back to Picasso.  Picasso was a genius and I bow my head to him daily.  He's one of my greatest heroes.  As an "American in Paris" artist, he has had such a profound influence on me, my life, and my art. As I'm painting, I often feel like he's paying me a visit as I'm channeling his energy into my own work.  In fact, when I first started painting, I was surprised to see that I also started with primative paintings.  Before looking at my next painting, however, let's look at a French artist from the history of art who is also another one my heroes who work catapulted his art career with his own style of primative art.