French artist Fabien Verschaere dies at 50, upcoming exhibitions and award ceremony proceed

Fabien Verschaere, a French visual artist celebrated for his colorful depictions of superheroes and fantastical beings, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the age of 50. His untimely death came just days before he was set to receive the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres medal on April 14, which will now be awarded to his father. Born in 1975 in Vincennes, he completed his studies at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Paris in 2000. Verschaere's creations, influenced by his childhood and experiences in hospitals due to a genetic condition, merge elements of dreams and nightmares. Since 2012, he has been represented by Laurent Rigail, with exhibitions at venues such as macLyon and Palais de Tokyo. The show "1+1=11" is scheduled to open on April 18, 2026.