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Jacques OchsBelgian artist and fencer
Date of Birth: 18.02.1883
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
Biography of Jacques Ochs
Jacques Ochs, a Belgian artist and fencer, was born in Nice, France. In 1893, his family moved to Liège, Belgium. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in Liège in 1903, winning the 'Donnay' prize. Ochs then attended the Académie Julian in Paris until 1905. During World War I, he volunteered for the army and was seriously injured in an aerial assault.
In 1920, Ochs became a professor of drawing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Liège, and in 1934, he became the director of the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts. While Ochs was primarily known for his serious artistic works, he also dabbled in humor, creating sketches, illustrations, and caricatures for French and Belgian newspapers.
A Talented Fencer
Ochs gained recognition not only as a talented artist but also as an outstanding fencer. In 1912, he became the Belgian fencing champion and won a gold medal in team épée at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, representing Belgium alongside notable athletes like Gaston Salmon. He also participated in individual fencing competitions, reaching the second round in sabre and foil events. In 1914, Ochs became the international fencing champion.
Art in the Concentration Camp
In April 1938, Ochs published a biting caricature of Hitler on the cover of the satirical Brussels magazine 'Pourquoi Pas?'. Envious of his success, someone reported him, and on November 17, 1940, Ochs was arrested. He was eventually sent to the Breendonk concentration camp, where he continued to draw. The camp's commandant, Philipp Schmitt, recognized Ochs' talent and ordered him to focus on drawing portraits of the prisoners. Ochs couldn't resist the Nazi's command, but he managed to derive some benefit from his position, providing a temporary escape through posing for the prisoners. His portraits became a valuable source of reflection in the harsh environment.
Fortunately, in February 1942, Ochs escaped the camp with the help of a Flemish acquaintance who smuggled out several of his portraits. In 1944, Ochs was arrested again but managed to avoid further transportation by pretending to be Protestant. He was eventually rescued by British forces, who saved him along with other prisoners. After the war, Ochs used the rescued paintings to accurately document the camp's atmosphere, publishing his memoir 'Breendonck – Bagnards et Bourreaux' in 1947.
Later Life and Legacy
After the war, Ochs continued to lecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. However, the concentration camp had a detrimental effect on his eyesight. Nevertheless, he continued to paint and exhibit his works. In 1948, Ochs was elected to the Royal Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts of Belgium. He passed away in 1971 in Liège, leaving behind a legacy as both a talented artist and a remarkable fencer.
