Project Description

Gouache on paper

Diameter of the tondo : 17 cm (inside edges frame)
Image diameter : 15 cm

Signed lower left : J.Jullien

Breton Calvary (from Brignogan ?) Britain – France

JACQUES JULLIEN (1891-1963)

Drawing teacher and painter

Jacques Jullien was born on 20 June 1891 in Condé-sur-Noireau (Calvados), where his father is an English teacher. His mother came from an old local family who was interested in the fabric trade.
From 1904 at 1906. his father teaches at the college of Mende, and Jacques Jullien will return to Mende later : a Chinese ink drawing represents the surroundings of Mende.

Morlaix

In 1906. his father is transferred to Morlaix.
Interested very early in drawing (we know of him “Annunciation” dated from 1909), Jacques Jullien is a student at the Rennes School of Fine Arts in 1912 at 1915, in the studios of Jules Ronsin and Félix Lafond. Several drawings showing views of the surroundings of Morlaix, Saint-Jean-du-Doigt in particular, are dated to this time.

Lesneven

Professor at Lesneven College
In 1917, Jullien is appointed professor of drawing at the Saint-François de Lesneven college. There is a photograph showing him in his class with his students. The Superior of the college is then Canon Moënner, who would later become parish priest of Saint-Louis de Brest. Jullien will remain in contact with him, and among his fresco projects is a ” Coronation of Saint Louis “.
Jullien participates in September 1919 at a collective exhibition in Honfleur, placed under the patronage of Henry de Régnier. Two canvases were then acquired by the Musée du Luxembourg, dont ” The street of the Virgin in Lesneven “. Two other paintings are sold to private collectors : ” Calvary of Brignogan ” and ” Banner bearers at Folgoët “.

Years 20

In 1921,

The Rennes Museum of Fine Arts buys him a triptych : ” Corpus Christi “.
In December 1922, during a personal exhibition at the Louis Carré gallery in Rennes, he introduces 12 paintings (including Sainte Pétronille, presented in this exhibition), gouaches and prints. On this occasion, a poster paint, ” The confirmation ” is acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes ; another gouache and a painting are bought by Louis Carré's father-in-law ; other works by named Charlier, Montigny, Emver (architect in Saint-Malo), etc…

In 1923

Eucher Corre, rector of Henvic, ordered him a triptych for his church, fresco or canvas serving as Monuments to the War Dead. This work seems to have disappeared and there remains a description in Ouest-Eclair of 4 octobre 1927 and a photograph in the collection of the Musée de Rennes. Around the same time he also produced the preparatory drawing for the Kerlouan War Memorial.
In 1926, Jullien takes part in the exhibition of the Bretonne Society of Fine Arts in Rennes, accompanied by the Barjou brothers, two of his best students (a painting by Jean Barjou is exhibited at the Musée du Léon). That same year, he publishes in the journal Feiz ha Breiz ” a moved article ” on the host of the SeizBreur Jeanne Malivel, died in September 1926.

Years 30

From 1924 at 1928, Jacques Jullien is cited as ” Heritage Commission correspondent ” and regularly sends drawings to the Archaeological Society of Finistère, through Louis Le Guennec. The workshop fund acquired by the Museum of Rennes does indeed have several drawings of monuments and sites of Léon (manor of Guiquelleau, mill of the Kerno, Tréglonou Church and Calvary, etc) executed in years 1920.
At the end of the school year 1929-1930, Jacques Jullien leaves Lesneven college, after spending there 13 ans. He is replaced in his post of professor of drawing by Yves Kerveillan, deacon, also english teacher.

Jullien however remains in contact with the Lesnevien establishment and, in 1933. he participates in the commemorative exhibition of the college's centenary celebrations with a painting, ” Les Halles de Lesneven “, and two photos of triptychs, ” The Prodigal Son "and ” Britain “. It also illustrates the supplement of ” Forward “, alumni newsletter.

Paris

In 1930

Jacques Jullien settles in Paris, where he resides in the 9th arrondissement. He teaches in ABC correspondence drawing and he makes illustrations for Editions Larousse and Hatier.
At Christmas 1934, he stays and exhibits in his hometown of Condé sur Noireau, and the workshop collection contains several studies of market scenes in Normandy.
Jullien maintains close relationships with Louis Carré, friendly and working relationships. These relationships continue after the opening of the Carré gallery in rue de Messine in 1938 and after the war. Witnesses to these relationships, many invitation cards to openings at the Carré gallery which served as supports for several drawings and sketches, invitations from Dufy, Gromaire, Fernand Léger… Jacques Jullien has probably met, if not frequented these famous artists.
He was also in contact with the Prouté gallery (6th district), specialized in drawing.
In Jullien’s studio collection are around twenty drawings and oil paintings on paper of Paris (sites, banks of the Seine, construction workers at work, etc.)
He married in the town hall of the 12th arrondissement of Paris, in June 1945, Jeanne Petibon.

In 1939 and 1940 in Poitou and Auvergne

Jacques Jullien stays in Angles-sur-I’Anglin, and maybe he took refuge there during the war. Several works (oil on panels, watercolors and colored pencil drawings) represent this locality considered as ” one of the most beautiful villages in France “. Besides, he will retire there at the end of his life.
The name of ” Fontgombault ” is found several times in Jullien's papers and works may be found in this Benedictine abbey or in the parish church (” Saint Martin healing a leper ” ?)
From 1961 at 1963, he makes repeated stays in Chaudes-Aigues, Aubrac thermal spa in Cantal, and he makes several drawings there, dont ” Mayor's house “.
He died in Poitiers on 9 mars 1963 at the age of 72 ans.

Sources : biographical note established by Doctor Le Goff – Mayor of Lesneven

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