Collection: Bernard Lorjou

(1908-1986) French

Born in the Loire et Cher department of France to an impoverished family, according to Lorjou, he received a bulk of his education “in the streets”. In 1925, Lorjou became employed at the Ducharne silk house, designing patterns for prints that soon became sought after by the likes of Balmain, Lanvin, and Christian Dior as well as worn by many notable women of the period. It was here that he met the artist Yvonne Mottet with whom he set up a studio in Montmarte, Paris in 1934. Larjou’s subject matter was inspired by current events and influenced by the strong, expressive styles of El Greco, Velázques, and Goya. While throughout his career his style went through a series of shifts, the power of his images and the rich precision of his vibrant color palate remained constant. Today his works are exhibited widely across the artistic communities.