Jean Viollier
(1896 – 1985)
Jean Viollier was born in Geneva on July 24, 1896 and died in Paris on May 19, 1985.
He began his training at the Geneva School of Fine Arts.
He settled in Paris in 1924, where he exhibited at the Léonce Rosenberg gallery and was part of the surrealist movement.
Returning to Geneva in 1932, he discovered realist painting and began to focus on painting the contours and colours of countryside around him.
In 1937 Viollier moved to Pully after being seduced by the landscapes of Lavaux. During his time there he painted three large panels dedicated to the glory of winegrowers for the main hall of the Priory of Pully.
In 1950 he returned to Paris, there he painted Parisian life while continuing to paint pictures of Lake Geneva during the summer months.