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Paris Illustration Art

Auguste Leroux (1871-1954)
Click Here for examples of Leroux's Inks on Paper
Click Here for examples of Leroux's Pochior

Auguste Leroux was born in Paris on 14 April 1871. After his service in the military he became a student at the school of Bonnat. He was a very successful student and in 1894 he was the winner of the Grand Prix de Rome. After a stay of two years at the Villa Medicis in Rome Leroux returns to Paris and a long and happy career as an illustrator and painter begins. In 1906 he becomes a professor at the Ecole nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, where he will teach till the end of his days.

Leroux has tried his hand at many genres, always successfully. As a portrait painter he was very much sought after, but he also painted historical subjects and nudes. The French department of Bretagne holds a very special place in his life and works, Leroux having painted many Breton scenes. Perhaps Auguste Leroux is even more important for his drawings and illustrations for books.

Many honors have been bestowed on Leroux. For many years he was part of the jury of the Comité de la Société des Artistes Français, and a member of the Conseil supérieur de l'Enseignement des beaux-arts. He also was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur.

Although he was successful and recognized as a very skilled artist, Auguste Leroux never sought fame nor the high social life. He lived for his art, his teaching, and his family. The Leroux had three children, Madeleine (1902-1983), Lucienne (1903-1987), and André (1911-?), who all became great artists in their own right.

Auguste Leroux died in Paris on 26 March 1954. In 1955 a retrospective of Leroux' work was held at the Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées.

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