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.
1944
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
Works by Jean Delpech
https://collectionjeandelpech.musee-armee.fr/en/chronology/1944