Herold, Jacques

Biography of Jacques Hérold

Jacques Hérold, born Herold Blumer on October 10, 1910 in Piatra Neamț, Romania, was a Franco-Romanian artist of Jewish origin. He left his mark on the Surrealist movement through his painting, sculpture and illustrations. Hérold spent his childhood in various Romanian towns before studying at the Bucharest School of Fine Arts. In 1930, he moved to Paris, where he met key Surrealist figures such as André Breton and Victor Brauner. In the 1930s, Hérold developed a unique style. He painted flayed beings and was interested in crystallization. Works such as "Le Grand Silence" and "Crystal amoureux" reflect these themes. During the Second World War, Hérold took refuge in the south of France. Along with other Surrealists, he took part in the creation of the Marseilles Card Game. After the war, he returned to Paris and exhibited regularly. The 1950s saw Hérold experiment with texture and matter in his painting. He published his "Maltraité de peinture" in 1957. Despite his exclusion from the Surrealist group, he remained faithful to his artistic principles. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hérold continued to innovate. He created object-paintings and poster-poems. His paintings were increasingly inspired by nature. Throughout his career, Hérold collaborated with poets and writers. He has illustrated works by Michel Butor, Gilbert Lely and Georges Bataille. Jacques Hérold died in Paris on January 11, 1987, leaving behind a rich and complex artistic legacy. His work remains an important contribution to surrealism and 20th-century art.