Georges d'Espagnat

Georges d'Espagnat (1870–1950), French, Georges d'Espagnat, a distinguished French painter, illustrator, and engraver, was born on August 14, 1870, in Melun and passed away on April 17, 1950, in Paris. His artistic journey began in 1888 when he enrolled at the École des arts décoratifs and the École des beaux-arts in Paris. However, d'Espagnat's independent spirit led him to forge his own path, honing his skills through self-directed study and by copying masterpieces at the Louvre. His talent as a draftsman and engraver flourished, contributing to prominent illustrated periodicals like Le Courrier français, La Critique, and Le Rire. D'Espagnat was renowned for his original lithographs and his expressive wood engravings, crafted with a knife, which he contributed to L'Ymagier under Remy de Gourmont's direction. He also illustrated Gourmont's novel 'Sixtine' in 1922.
Beyond his artistic achievements, d'Espagnat's legacy includes being the father of physicist Bernard d'Espagnat and cousin to painter and engraver Christian d'Espic. His brother Paul also shared his passion for illustration. D'Espagnat's prolific career yielded over a thousand paintings, now housed in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. His work captures the vibrancy of his era, reflecting his deep engagement with the cultural and artistic movements of his time.