Jean De Paleologue - Dit Pal (1855-1942) - Elegant Boa Girl

Jean de Paleologue dit Pal (1855-1942)
Elegant Woman with Boa
Pastel
43 x 32 cm on view
72 x 60 cm with frame

Jean de Paleologu, also known as de Paléologue or Jean Paleologue (1860-1942), was a Romanian painter, illustrator and poster artist, naturalized American, who often used Pal or PAL as his signature or studio mark. He worked in London, Paris, New York and Florida.

Born in Bucharest and undoubtedly related to the ancient Paléologue family, he studied art in London, then returned to Romania, where he completed his studies at the Special School of Artillery and Military Engineering (Şcoala Specială de Artilerie şi Geniu, founded in 1881). He then returned to London, around 1889-1890, where he produced illustrations for books including Frederick Wicks' Golden Lives: The Story of A Woman's Courage (en) (Blackwood & Sons, 1891) and contributed to Vanity Fair (British version). He becomes a member of the Eccentric Club (en). Borrowing the name "Julius Price", he may also be the author of the poster Daly's Theatre, An Artist's Model (London, before 1893), reproduced in Les Maîtres de l'affiche.

He then settled in Paris. He founded Atelier Pal on rue Denfert-Rochereau, and worked with the printing house founded by Paul Dupont, among others. He illustrated Petits poèmes russes by Catulle Mendès, published by Editions Charpentier in 1893. He produced a large number of lithographed posters, notably advertising for cycling, and also contributed to the JOB collection. He contributed to a number of French periodicals, including Le Rire, La Plume, Cocorico, Le Frou-frou, Sans-Gêne and La Vie en rose.

He moved to the United States in 1900, but for a few years continued to work with Parisian clients (Exposition internationale de l'automobile, Editions Sansot, etc.). He worked for periodicals such as The Strand Magazine, Motor (published by Hearst), the Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, and the New York Herald Tribune. He designed a series of posters, for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup, Durban Oil & Soap, New Cremo Victoria cigars, and more.

In the United States, under the name "Jean Paleologue", who became an American citizen in 1923, he painted portraits of actors and music-hall performers, as well as frescoes. He worked for companies specializing in advertising and graphic design, including the automotive and film industries. In 1927, he moved from New York to Florida, where he taught painting and accepted numerous commissions for the Federal Art Project.
Paleologu died in Miami Beach.

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