Jacques Villon (1875–1963) was a French painter and printmaker, widely recognized for his pivotal role in the development of modern art in the early 20th century. Born Gaston Duchamp in Damville, France, he adopted the name Jacques Villon in honor of the French medieval poet Villon. A key figure in the Cubist movement, Villon was initially influenced by Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, but his style evolved as he experimented with abstraction and geometric forms, particularly after his encounters with other avant-garde artists like his brother, Marcel Duchamp, and the influential figures of the Parisian avant-garde.