(Douai, 1900 – Louveciennes, 1968)

Jean Ève was born in a working-class family. In 1918, he was accepted at the colonial school of le Havre and joined the Spahis. He spent an important part of his journeys painting in watercolor. On his return to Douai, he joined the railway sector and then later worked in a foundry. After neglecting painting for a while, Jean Eve had a revelation when visiting the Gustave Courbet exhibition at the Petit Palais. Nevertheless, having to take care of his family, he could only pursue his passion for painting on Sundays.

In 1929, Jean Ève met Moïse Kisking who introduced him to the editorial staff of L’Art Vivant and decided to form a support committee to help Jean Eve fully commit to his work. All of this allowed him very soon to exhibit at the Salon des Indépendants. In 1936, he accepted Henri Bing and Maximilien Gauthier’s invitation to participate in the exhibition Les Maîtres Populaires de la Réalité – The Popular Masters of Reality. This marked the beginning of Jean Eve’s fame.

He then exhibited in New-York and Switzerland and was appointed Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur and commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Jean Ève’s painting is characterised by his own sincerity and simplicity. As Maximilien Gauthier stated: “he painted what he saw, simply, and with all his heart”

“My true studio is nature”, Jean Ève