Jean Carzou

Biography of Jean Carzou

Jean Carzou was born on January 1, 1907 in Aleppo (Syria) into a family of Armenian origin.

A brilliant student at the French high school in Cairo, he obtained a scholarship to come and study architecture in Paris, although he only dreamed of the Fine Arts! His passion would be stronger and it is alone that he would learn the expression of his art.

His artistic journey is marked from 1930 by the various Salons in which he participated. He quickly emerged as one of the leaders of his generation (with Buffet, Pignon, De Staël, Clavé and Bazaine in particular) winning the Hallmark Prize three times.

His first solo exhibitions (from 1939 onwards) demonstrate a very personal talent and a dazzling vision of the world around him. The power of his work, especially the strength of his line and the realism of his compositions, recognized from the late 1940s, have made him one of the most influential painters of the next generation...

He passed away on August 12, 2000, leaving behind an impressive body of work, full of power, singularity, and vision.

(c) Natacha PELLETIER for PASSION ESTAMPES