Jules Cavaillès

Jules Cavaillès was born in Carmaux on June 20, 1901. After studying at the Lycée d'Albi, then a preparatory class for Arts and Crafts in Castres, he left for Paris to follow the artistic teachings of Pierre and Paul-Albert Laurens. From 1923 to 1925, he attended the Académie Julian and met Roger Limouse with whom he formed a solid friendship. Living with difficulty from his painting, he opened a small grocery store with his wife and regularly welcomed his friends Henri Matisse, André Derain, Marc Chagall and Pierre Bonnard.

During the 1930s, Jules Cavaillès asserted his artistic style. His interest was primarily in the Fauves and his works were inspired by Matisse, Derain, Vlaminck and Braque. Then, he became passionate about the works of Renoir and Bonnard. The latter played a key role in the artistic research of Jules Cavaillès who spent hours studying his paintings during their meetings in the South.

In 1936, Cavaillès obtained the Blumenthal grant and managed to make a living from his art. He frequently takes part in festive evenings and dinners in the company of André Warnod or Paul Poiret. His enthusiasm and his zest for life are known and appreciated by all.

The Second World War marked the return of Jules Cavaillès to Albi where he joined the Resistance. Strongly involved in the Albigensian artistic community, Jules Cavaillès became internationally renowned after the war and he returned to work as a professor at the Decorative Arts Scool in Paris.

In the 1950s, Jules Cavaillès exhibited many times not only in Paris but also in New York, London, Geneva and Brussels. He traveled on the Côte d'Azur, won numerous prizes and created sets. Cavaillès owned a house in Normandy where he received his artist friends: Vlaminck, Braque, Legueult…

Until the end of his life, Jules Cavaillès made numerous trips in Europe. He also traveled to New York and Japan. He was elected member of the jury of several prestigious competitions: the Grand Prix de Rome (1959) and the International Drawing Prize (1976). On January 29, 1977, he passed away in Epineuil.