DESPIERRE Jacques

Biography of Jacques Despierre

Jacques Despierre, by his real name Jacques Eugène Céria, was born on 7 March 1912 in Saint-Étienne. The son of the painter Edmond Ceria, he was introduced to art very early by his father. He continued his artistic training at the Colarossi Academy, then at the Scandinavian Academy, before joining in 1930 the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Paris in Lucien Simon's workshop. There he was with Georges Rohner, Robert Humblot and Jean Lasne.

In 1938, he exhibited for the first time at Jeanne Castel and received the Prix Paul Guillaume. He then participated in many important trade fairs: Automne Salon, Tuileries Salon, Mai Salon, of which he was one of the founders in 1945. He became a recognized figure in the French art scene after the war.

Artistic career

Jacques Despierre is nicknamed "the painter architect" for the rigorous structure of his compositions. Influenced by cubism and the golden section, he painted landscapes, marines, still lifes and scenes of daily life. He also makes monumental decorations, such as those of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Paris or the liners Le Liberté and Le France.

Along with his career as a painter, he taught at the Académie Montparnasse and then became a professor at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. In 1958 he was made knight of the Legion of Honour and was elected to the Academy of Fine Arts in 1969.

Style and influences

Jacques Despierre's work is characterized by the search for a balance between geometric construction and light. His paintings show great attention to colour and shape, in both modern and classic style. He claims a sincere painting, rooted in the observation of reality but transfigured by poetic sensitivity.

The works of Jacques Despierre at Galerie 125

Galerie 125 offers for sale works by Jacques Despierre, accessible online or directly to the gallery. These pieces, from his structured and sensitive universe, illustrate the richness of his artistic expression. A great opportunity to discover or rediscover a major artist of French modern art.