Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, Félix Vallotton moved to Paris in 1882 to study at the Académie Julian. He became a central figure in the Parisian avant-garde during the 1890s, aligning himself with the Nabis, a group of post-impressionist artists who emphasized decorative qualities and flat color planes.

Vallotton is widely recognized for his innovative woodcuts, which utilized stark contrasts of black and white to create graphic, psychologically charged compositions. His painting style evolved into a precise, unemotional realism, often depicting domestic interiors and landscapes with a cool, analytical detachment that set him apart from his contemporaries.

His legacy continues to be a fixture of the Swiss and international art market, with his works frequently appearing in major auctions and retrospectives. His contributions to both printmaking and painting remain central to the study of late 19th and early 20th-century European modernism.