Marcel Duchamp was a French-American artist born on July 28, 1887, in Blainville-Crevon, France. He is best known for his role in the development of modern art and is often associated with the Dada movement. Duchamp challenged traditional notions of art by introducing concepts like ready-mades, which are everyday objects presented as art, such as his famous piece, Fountain. Duchamp's work questioned the definition of art and the role of the artist. His innovative ideas influenced many later movements, including Surrealism and Conceptual Art. He passed away on October 2, 1968, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.