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Jean Delpech’s career from 1935 to 1950

In 2019, the Musée de l'Armée acquired a collection of over 700 drawings and prints by the artist, providing invaluable evidence of the Second World War: mobilized in 1938 in the Alpine hunters until the end of 1940, the painter, who lived in Paris during the Occupation, produced a quasi-ethnographic work on the war.

Historical landmarks

16 January

Eisenhower is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Forces

4 June

The Allies take Rome

6 June

Allied landing in Normandy

5 August

Liberation of Rennes

15 August

Allied landing in Provence

19 August

Start of the Paris Insurrection

25 August

The German garrison in Paris surrenders

26 August

General de Gaulle parades along the Champs-Élysées

21 November

The 1st French Army liberates Mulhouse

Jean Delpech’s career

January to February

Participation in the Rome Prize for Engraving competition

February to December 1945

Official painter to the Ministry of War

April

Stay in Nantes

May

Continues with proofs for the Rome Prize competition. Witnesses the fighting for the Liberation of Paris, which inspires a series of ten monotype prints. Writes to his mother on 15 May 1944: “My Rome competition keeps me smiling in this mayhem. Which doesn’t mean to say that I ignore it.” (Delpech family archives)

July

Comes second in the Rome Prize for Engraving competition

24 novembre-8 décembre

Exposition La Libération de Paris vue par Jean Delpech, à la galerie Christofle : présentation d’un ensemble de dessins, de gravures, de deux plats d’argent gravés et de deux assiettes peintes sur le thème de la libération de Paris

November-December

Follows the 1st Army in Alsace and then accompanies the 2nd Spahi Regiment as war correspondent

https://collectionjeandelpech.musee-armee.fr/chronologie/1944