Trained at the School of Fine Arts in Budapest, André Farkas moved to France in 1934, where he joined Cassandre at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He changed his surname when he became a French citizen. He lived in the French countryside from 1945 where, in December 2002, his atelier burned down, destroying almost his complete oeuvre. Cartoons, illustrations, (childrens’) books, covers, (theatre) posters, stage settings and ballet costumes, animated films, advertisements, paintings and sculptures: François did it all. His prolific, humane, poetic work was witty and innovative, and was admired in exhibitions throughout the world. It was published in Graphis, Punch, Lilliput and The New Yorker. He also drew advertisements for Citroën and Le Nouvel Observateur. André was made a Royal Designer for Industry and was awarded a doctorate by the Royal College of Art, London (1977). From the early 1960s, the Sunday painter François became a Sunday designer and a weekday fine artist.