Edmond Francois Aman-Jean

Edmond Francois Aman-Jean (1858–1936), French, Edmond Francois Aman-Jean, born Amand Edmond Jean on November 13, 1858, in Chevry-Cossigny, France, was a distinguished painter, engraver, and art critic who left a significant mark on the French art scene. Adopting the pseudonym Aman-Jean, he studied under Henri Lehmann at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he formed a lasting friendship with Georges Seurat, sharing a studio with him. His artistic journey was deeply influenced by his travels to Italy in 1886, funded by a scholarship, where he immersed himself in the study of Italian primitives alongside Henri Martin and Ernest Laurent. This experience enriched his appreciation for classical decor and ancient art, elements that would permeate his work.
Aman-Jean's oeuvre reflects a blend of symbolism and decorative art, evident in pieces like 'Sainte Geneviève devant Paris,' which showcases the influence of Puvis de Chavannes, with whom he collaborated. His close ties to the Symbolist literary circles are highlighted by his poignant portrait of Paul Verlaine, painted during the poet's hospitalization, a testament to their friendship. Verlaine's dedication of a sonnet to Aman-Jean underscores the mutual respect between the two. Aman-Jean's marriage to Thadée Jacquet, a painter herself, in 1892, further intertwined his personal and professional life, as she became a frequent subject in his paintings. His participation in the first two Salons de la Rose-Croix esthétique and his correspondence with Joséphin Peladan illustrate his engagement with the aesthetic and philosophical debates of his time. Aman-Jean passed away on January 25, 1936, in Paris, leaving behind a legacy that bridges the gap between traditional techniques and the burgeoning modernist movements of the early 20th century.