His injury during the First World War was a turning point, turning him definitively towards painting after abandoning decorative cabinetmaking. He exhibited for the first time at the Salon d'Automne in 1920, marking his official debut in the Parisian artistic community.
His work reveals varied influences, drawing on Toulouse-Lautrec and Goya to develop a personal visual language. The 1920s were characterized by cheerful and optimistic paintings, a creative period that established his reputation. However, the 1930s marked a shift toward darker works, perhaps reflecting the tensions of the time.
His collaboration with Louis-Ferdinand Céline enriched his career: he illustrated several of the writer's novels, demonstrating their friendship and his artistic versatility. This literary dimension complemented a work that was primarily pictorial but open to other creative expressions.
After World War II, he rediscovered the inspiration of his 1920s, although this creative renaissance did not recapture the same innovative force of his early days. A retrospective organized in 1952 dedicated his contribution to 20th-century French art.
His recognition is evidenced by the presence of his works in prestigious public and private collections, notably in museums in Paris, Bern, and Granville. His unique style, oscillating between periods of light and darkness, testifies to an authentic artistic temperament that has overcome personal and historical challenges while maintaining a recognizable and influential pictorial voice.
