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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

22 June to 5 December

Operation Barbarossa: The 3rd Reich invades the USSR

October to January 1942

Battle of Moscow

7 December

Japan attacks Pearl Harbour, causing the United States to enter the War

Jean Delpech’s career

January

Return to Paris and to its School of Fine Arts, thanks to a grant; lodges with an aunt

24 March

Three-week traineeship in the Paris region in order to become a technical drawing teacher

1941-1943

Employment as a drawing teacher at the Paris Academy’s training centres. Works as a cultural leisure activity supervisor at the “Travail et Joie” youth centre, an organisation housed in Château de Saint-Ouen. Makes numerous drawings currently conserved in Saint-Ouen municipal archives. Steals several blank ID cards from the Director’s office to give to his friends, enabling them to avoid Compulsory Work Service

https://collectionjeandelpech.musee-armee.fr/en/chronology/1941