Duchamp, doo SHAHN, Marcel (1887-1968), was a French-born artist and a leader of the modern movement in art. Duchamp created works that challenged the traditional definition of art. His unconventional approach helped to develop an atmosphere of creative freedom for other artists and has continued to be influential.

Many of Duchamp's works were simply everyday objects that he gave titles and exhibited as art. He called these works ready-mades. Duchamp's most controversial ready-made was a common urinal that he titled Fountain and signed with the name "R. Mutt." By wittily designating ordinary objects as works of art, he hoped to make people examine their own standards of art.

Excerpt from the "Duchamp, Marcel" article , The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999