Jean Puy

Born: November 8, 1876

Died: March 6, 1960

BIOGRAPHY

French painter, Jean Puy was born in 1876 and died in 1960 in Roanne. After studying architecture at the Fine Art School of Lyon, he frequents in 1898 the Academy Julian in Paris. In 1899, he was admitted to the academy Carrière where "we painted according to our own desire and our temperament." Then, he binds friendship with Matisse and Derain. The latter communicates his great admiration for Cézanne. Since 1900 he participated in the Salon des Independents and in 1903 he exhibited at the first Salon d'Automne. Impressionist in his infancy, he took part in 1905 in the fauve event.

However, unlike his peers, he preferred peaceful fullness of forms, inlight tones and excessive exuberance. Puy continues his painting, whether in Britain, Savoie or in his homeland. Fleeing the German occupation, he will move definitely in Roanne.
Blot, Druet and Bernheim will succeed to Vollard, who was his merchant for seventeen years. However, we must wait for the Salon d'Automne of 1959, a few months before his death that the work of this "Fauve" being returned to light. Affirming a traditional painting, famous for his mastery of chiaroscuro and for the Marines, always precise in his naked, Puy had only one aim: "bring life in his paintings".   Galerie Fleury