Michel de Gallard, born after classical studies, chose to abandon the path of medicine to devote himself to painting. As early as 1946, he established his studio in La Ruche, a renowned place where artists such as Chagall, Soutine and Léger also worked.

In 1948, alongside artists such as Buffet, Minaux and Rebeyrolle, he actively participated in the "man-witness" manifesto initiated by Lorjou. This manifesto vigourously opposed the rise of abstraction in the artistic world of the time.

For about a decade, he was represented by the Maurice Granier Gallery, but since 1971, Michel de Gallard has exhibited exclusively at the Gallery of the Presidency.