Jean Viollier

Painter born July 24, 1896 in Geneva. Son of Auguste Constantin Viollier.

He began to sculpt in 1915 at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva. He then settled in Paris in 1924, exhibited in the Léonce Rosenberg gallery as Léger, Chirico and Picabia and participated in the surrealism movement. Back in Geneva in 1932, he discovered realism and painted there, drawing inspiration from country landscapes.

In 1937, Jean Viollier settled in Pully, seduced by the landscapes of Lavaux. Among other things, he painted three large panels celebrating winegrowing activities for the room of the Priory of Pully. Returned to Paris in 1950, he painted Parisian life with passion, alternating with Lake Geneva paintings composed during his summer vacations.

He died on May 19, 1985 in Paris.