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Jean EffelFrench cartoonist.
Date of Birth: 12.02.1908
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Breakthrough in Caricatures
- Anti-Fascist Activism and Resistance
- Post-War Success and "Still Under Occupation"
- "The Creation of the World" and Later Work
- Recognition and Awards
- - Order of Friendship of Peoples (1978)
Early Life and Education
François Lejeune, better known by his pseudonym Jean Effel, was born in 1908 to a family of merchants. Despite his father's aspirations for him to succeed him in the business, Effel pursued a more artistic path. He received a well-rounded education, studying languages, philosophy, music, and drawing.
Breakthrough in Caricatures
After disputes with his family, Effel left home with the intention of becoming a playwright. He experimented with playwriting and painting, but it was his caricatures for newspapers that brought him unexpected success. Beginning in 1933, Effel adopted the pen name Jean Effel and began contributing caricatures to various publications.
Anti-Fascist Activism and Resistance
During the fascist occupation of France, Effel actively participated in the Resistance movement. He became a member of the clandestine "Éditions de Minuit" and collaborated with Louis Aragon and Paul Éluard to produce anti-fascist satirical leaflets.
Post-War Success and "Still Under Occupation"
The artist's career flourished in the post-war period. One of his most powerful works was the 1955 book "Still Under Occupation," which contained a collection of his best caricatures from 1947 to 1955. The book, as Sergei Yutkevich incisively remarked, could have been titled "Yankee Go Home!" as its central theme was to denounce the American occupation of France.
"The Creation of the World" and Later Work
Effel's other notable work was "The Creation of the World," a collection of caricatures based on themes from the Old Testament. It inspired Isidor Stock to write the play "Divine Comedy."
Recognition and Awards
Jean Effel passed away in 1982 and was buried in the port city of Honfleur. He received numerous awards during his lifetime, including:
- Order of Friendship of Peoples (1978)
- Gold Medal of the World Peace Council (1958)- International Lenin Peace Prize (1968)
