Jean Gourmelin

Jean Gourmelin (November 23, 1920, Paris – October 9, 2011, Meudon) was a French illustrator renowned for his works rooted in ideas, absurdity, and the fantastical. Influenced by surrealism, his creations reflect a unique and powerful personal universe.

Primarily working with pen and ink, Gourmelin also explored engraving, painting, and sculpture. His art delved into metaphysical themes such as chance, space, and time. Born near the Place de l’Étoile in Paris to modest parents, his talent for drawing was recognized early during his studies with Robert Lesbounit.

At 14, Gourmelin moved to Vendôme with his family, where he studied at Lycée Ronsard. Under the mentorship of painter Charles Portel, he learned techniques in painting, stenciling, and engraving. This period also marked the beginning of his interest in surrealism, nurtured by friendships with Henry Galy-Carles and Roland Brudieux.

At 17, he enrolled at the École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and attended classes at the Académie de la Grande-Chaumière. During the 1940s, he designed wallpaper for Maison Nobilis, earning initial recognition. During World War II, he worked in a metal goods factory to avoid forced labor.

In 1951, Gourmelin’s first drawings appeared in the magazine Caractères. Between 1951 and 1969, he collaborated with master glass artist Max Ingrand on numerous stained-glass projects, including works in Blois, Amboise, Rouen, and Saint-Malo.

A pivotal moment came in 1961 when Gourmelin met writer Jacques Sternberg, who encouraged him to prioritize “ideas” over form. This led to publications in Planète and various anthologies. His first solo exhibition took place in Paris in 1967, and by 1968, he left stained glass work to focus entirely on drawing.

From the 1970s, Gourmelin gained international fame through exhibitions and publications, including works such as Instants d’espace and À la Mémoire de l’humanité. His style evolved from dark humor and absurdity to a more philosophical and metaphysical approach.

By 2000, Gourmelin was forced to stop drawing due to an eye condition. After several strokes, he was hospitalized in 2008 and passed away in 2011 in a nursing home in Meudon.