Labaudt was born in Paris, France and received some arts education in France but was largely self-taught. Paul Cezanne and Georges Seurat were early and important influences in the young painter.

Labaudt immigrated to the United States in 1906 and first worked in Nashville as a costume designer while painting on the side. Four years later he moved to San Francisco and was one of the first modern art practitioners in that city. He taught at California School of Fine Arts beginning in 1919 and founded a school of costume design with his wife as well.

From the 1910s to the 1940s, Labaudt exhibited regularly and was an active member of the Bohemian Club, Beaux Arts Club, and other arts organizations. Exhibitions include the San Francisco Art Association (1917, 1927, 1937); Bohemian Club (1920-25); Paris Salon (1921-31); L'Ecole de Paris (1928); Museum of Modern Art, New York (1933-36); Brooklyn Museum (1936); Stendahl Galleries, solo show (1945).

Labaudt was a modern artist whose work has influences of Surrealism and Cubism.

The artist died in an airplane crash in India in 1943 during a trip as an artist-correspondent for "Life" magazine.