Jean Picart Le Doux

Charles Marcel Jean Picart Le Doux, born in the 6th arrondissement on January 31, 1902, came into the world in a household where art and creativity were intimately intertwined. The son of painter Charles Picart Le Doux (1881-1959), he grew up in an atmosphere imbued with colors and shapes.

His youth unfolded at the Lycée Condorcet, but driven by a consuming passion, he left school at the age of sixteen to immerse himself in the world of bookbinding. Lacking formal training, he taught himself the arts of the book before turning to advertising and graphic arts. His first works emerged in 1935, and in 1943, he achieved recognition when he won a major prize for theater posters at the Salon de l’Imagerie, a pivotal moment that propelled his career.

It was during a collaboration with master Jean Lurçat for Harper’s Bazaar in 1939 that he discovered the art of tapestry, a field that irresistibly attracted him despite his unfamiliarity with its techniques. Between 1939 and 1945, he boldly embarked on creating his first tapestries. In 1947, he co-founded the Association of Painter-Tapestry Designers alongside Lurçat and Marc Saint-Saëns. In 1952, he established the International Graphic Alliance (AGI), becoming its first president, thus demonstrating his commitment to uniting artists around shared values.

The 1960s also saw him invest in teaching, sharing his passion for graphic arts at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. A member of the board of directors of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts from 1975 to 1980, he established himself as an essential figure in the artistic community. His works, exhibited in galleries and museums, reflect a growing recognition.

Picart Le Doux’s tapestries, such as “Vol de Nuit,” featured in our gallery, illustrate his unique style, merging symbolism and movement. His artistic approach is based on a meticulous study of tapestry techniques, integrating cosmogonic elements and metaphysical themes.

Jean Picart Le Doux passed away on May 7, 1982, in Venice. His body of work, blending painting, illustration, and tapestry, remains a legacy that continues to inspire contemporary artists.