Doesn’t the name Rue Henri Thiriet whisper stories of art and creativity? This street in Créteil bears the name of Henri Thiriet, a French poster artist and illustrator. He lived from 1873 to 1946.
Henri Thiriet’s story began in Épinal. He later made his mark in Paris. He worked for Pierrefort. This was a lithographic workshop at 12 rue Bonaparte.
Imagine young Henri Thiriet in the late 1800s. He is surrounded by lithographic stones and printing presses. The air is thick with ink and the scent of creativity. This workshop was a hub. Here, Thiriet honed his skills. He became a prolific artist in the Art Nouveau style.
Between 1890 and 1910, Henri Thiriet created around one hundred images for various brands. Some of his notable posters include Omega cycles and Absinthe Berthelot. Others promoted La Belle Jardinière. He also designed advertisements for L’Affiche Française.
Henri Thiriet married Catherine Laxenaire in 1903. The ceremony took place at the town hall of the 15th arrondissement of Paris. They had at least one daughter.
After 1918, Henri Thiriet shifted his focus. He started illustrating popular novels. He created covers and vignettes. Among his most famous works are the illustrations. These accompanied novels by Georges Simenon who wrote under pseudonyms. He was the main illustrator for the “Le Livre de Poche Tallandier” collection.
But Henri Thiriet’s contributions extended beyond art. From 1925 to 1942, he served as a municipal council member and deputy mayor of Créteil. In the 1930s, he created frescoes for the Victor Hugo preschool in Créteil.
Next time you see Rue Henri Thiriet, remember the artist. He was a man of many talents. He was an artist. He was an illustrator. He was a public servant. He left his mark on both the art world and the town of Créteil. The street that bears his name is a testament to his legacy. It is a reminder of his contributions to art and the community.