Engravings capture moments frozen in time. Here on Rue Bernard Naudin, we celebrate a man who mastered this art. This street pays homage to Bernard Naudin. He was a painter, designer, caricaturist, and engraver. Naudin’s story is one of artistic evolution and dedication to his craft.
Bernard Naudin was born in 1876. Châteauroux is his birthplace. His father, a watchmaker and antique dealer, was his first teacher. Naudin showed early talent. In 1891, he created an illustration for Le Réveil de la Gaule. It was a literary review by Jean Baffier. The next year, he published his first collection. It featured scenes from the province of Berry.
In 1893, Naudin moved to Paris. He funded his studies at the Académie Colarossi by giving guitar lessons. Later, he became a teacher there himself. In 1897, a scholarship allowed him to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. Léon Bonnat was his professor. His initial exhibitions took place at the Salon des Indépendants. Soon, he divided his time between Paris and his hometown.
After 1906, Naudin shifted his focus. He devoted himself to drawing and printmaking, especially etching. His early major work was illustrating Peter Schlemihl. Adalbert von Chamisso wrote this book. It is known in France as The Man Who Lost His Shadow. He also drew for revues like Le Cri de Paris. Most notably, he contributed to L’Assiette au Beurre. This satirical journal was the equivalent of pork barrel in English. From 1909, he created special issues. These covered war, homelessness, childhood abuse, and prisons.
In 1910, Georges Peignot commissioned Naudin. He wanted him to design a new typeface. The Deberny & Peignot foundry produced it in 1911 and 1924. Naudin held his first personal exhibition in 1912. It featured drawings and engravings at the Pavillon de Marsan.
World War I changed everything. Naudin was drafted in 1914. He became an infantry sergeant and war illustrator. His art depicted life in the trenches. His frontline work earned him a knighthood in the Legion of Honor.
In 1924, Naudin designed the Olympic diploma. It was for the Summer Olympics in Paris. In 1925, he illustrated a catalog. It celebrated the 150th anniversary of Houbigant perfumery. Jean-François Houbigant founded it in 1775.
Naudin designed posters and labels too. He illustrated works by Diderot and Edgar Allan Poe. André Suarès, Georges Duhamel and Anatole France were also among his clients. A memorial plaque marks his home in the 14th arrondissement.
His students included Jean de Botton. Jean Dreyfus-Stern and Charles Emmanuel Jodelet were also his students. Bernard Naudin died in 1946. He lived in Noisy-le-Grand at the time. He had also lived on 31 rue du Brayer in Noisy in the house that Claude Terrasse had lived in. He was born in Chateauroux.
Rue Bernard Naudin is near the Bois Saint-Martin. The works of Bernard Naudin reflect both joy and darkness. His art captured the essence of his time. His legacy lives on.