Jean Crotti was born on April 24, 1878, in Bulle, Canton Fribourg, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. He joined his father’s painting business as an apprentice in 1890, laying the foundation for his artistic journey. In 1901, he moved to Paris, immersing himself in the vibrant artistic scene of Montmartre.

Until 1904, his work closely resembled Neo-Impressionism. By 1908, Crotti had made a significant impact by being accepted at the Salon des Indépendants, where he successfully sold his first canvas. He became a member the very next year and remained active in the salon until 1942.

From 1910 onwards, he actively engaged with the influential artists of the Puteaux group, including notable figures such as Jacques Villon, Marcel Duchamp, Raymond Duchamp-Villon, Albert Gleizes, and Francis Picabia. His style evolved into a strong alignment with the Orphism movement championed by Robert Delaunay.