Jean Didier-Tourné, born in Agen on May 1, 1882, and passed away in Agen on January 12, 1967, was a French painter, engraver, lithographer, illustrator, decorator, and fresco artist. Jean-Émile-Marie-Didier Tourné graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Fernand Cormon. He regularly exhibited at the Salon des artistes français from 1905 onwards, as well as in Parisian galleries, the Salon des indépendants, and in exhibitions in Ghent and San Francisco. He also participated in international exhibitions of French art in Copenhagen, Geneva, and Tokyo. In 1909, he was awarded the second Grand Prix de Rome with the assigned subject of Ceres restoring life to a child. Following his studies at the Beaux-Arts, he adopted the artistic name Jean Didier-Tourné, combining his last name with his middle name to avoid confusion with other painters with similar surnames. He received a third-class medal at the Salon des artistes français in 1912. In 1931, he was awarded the gold medal for a large canvas depicting Amazons returning from the hunt. On August 17, 1933, the State acquired his oil painting: Le rideau. The theater in Agen, his hometown, commissioned the interior decoration from him. He also contributed to the decoration of the Town Hall of Sceaux. In 1935, the city of Paris commissioned a decorative panel from him, La Pastorale. He set up his studio near Montparnasse in the 15th arrondissement, at 9 Rue Falguière. He maintained friendly relations with fellow figurative artists, such as Suzanne Morel-Montreuil and her husband Marcel Montreuil. Jean Didier-Tourné’s art is characterized by a realistic and monumental expression, but he also delved into intimate works, reminiscent of the expressionist Montparnasse style between the two world wars. Awards 1909: 1st Second Grand Prix de Rome: Ceres restoring life to a child. 1909: Gabriel Ferrier Prize. 1912: Third-class medal at the Salon des Artistes français. 1920: James Bertrand Prize (the same year as his colleague Émilien-Victor Barthélémy). 1930: J. Peccord Prize. 1931: Gold Medal at the Salon des Artistes français. 1935: Fernand Cormon Prize. 1937: Silver Medal at the Universal Exposition in Paris.
