Jean Hélion

Jean Hélion was a French painter and writer, born on April 21, 1904, in Couterne, France. He started his career as an engineer, but after discovering painting, he decided to devote himself entirely to art.

Hélion first gained recognition in the 1930s for his geometric abstract paintings, which were inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian and other members of the De Stijl movement. His art often featured bold, simple shapes and primary colors arranged in a grid-like composition.

During World War II, Hélion joined the French army but was captured by the Germans and spent two years in a prisoner-of-war camp. It was during this time that he began to question the value of abstract art and turned instead to representational painting.

After the war, Hélion moved to the United States, where he became part of the New York School of artists. He continued to paint in a representational style, often depicting everyday objects and scenes with a sense of playfulness and humor. In the 1950s, he also became interested in typography and graphic design, creating posters and book covers.

Throughout his career, Hélion was committed to the idea that art should communicate with a broad audience, not just an elite few. He wrote extensively about his art and the role of the artist in society, publishing several books on the subject.

Hélion died on October 27, 1987, in Paris, France. His work can be found in major collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Tate Modern in London.