Jean Dratz (1903–1967) was a Belgian painter and illustrator.

Biography

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Jean Dratz was born in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium in 1903 as the son and student of Constant Dratz. He studied Law and Economy at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. As an artist, he is best known for his sober, realistic and melancholic Belgian landscapes which show Japanese influences. Other works were inspired by his travels in France and Italy.

Well known as a caricaturist and illustrator, he was a co-founder of the association of Belgian humoristic artist "Mine Souriante". He was the editor-in-chief of the French-language version of the Belgian comics magazine Bravo, where he also contributed numerous illustrations.

He also created numerous theatre decors, and contributed the decoration for the national pavilions of Brazil and Chile at the 1935 World Exhibition of Brussels, and of the national pavilion of the Republic of the Congo at the Expo 58.

He was sometimes nicknamed the "Dubout belge".

He died in Uccle, Belgium in 1967.

Works

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Book illustrations

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Press illustrations

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Among the many illustrations he made for numerous magazines can be mentioned:

  • Editor-in-chief of Bravo, numerous illustrations.
  • Monthly magazine "Le Bouclier" published by the prévoyance sociale Belge.
  • Covers for the weekly "Pourquoi Pas?"
  • Automobile and tourism publications: Royal Auto, Auto Touring, Reflet du Tourisme, Touring Club de Belgique, Libra illustré
  • Annuals for the Royal Automobile Club de Belgique (1950 and 1953)
  • Cover of the weekly Tintin magazine on 28 January 1953.
  • Englebert magazine
  • Jeunesse, magazine of the Belgian Red Cross.
  • Art Savoir Beauté magazine
  • La Conquête de l'Air magazine
  • Toute l'Alimentation food magazine
  • Weekly magazine Le Soir Illustré between 1932 and 1940.

Furthermore, he made illustrations for records, student magazines, post cards, and publicity.

Sources

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  • Guide Piron
  • Dictionnaire Arto
  • Anne Villers
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