Jacques Zwobada facts for kids

Jacques Zwobada (born August 6, 1900 – died September 6, 1967) was a famous French artist. He was known for his amazing sculptures and designs. Sometimes his name was spelled a bit differently, like Swobada or Zwoboda.

Life of a Sculptor

Early Life and Education

Jacques Zwobada was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, on August 6, 1900. His family was originally from Czechia. From a young age, Jacques showed a great talent for drawing. He studied art at the famous École des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1918 to 1924. While there, he was greatly inspired by the works of another famous sculptor, Auguste Rodin.

Winning Awards and Big Projects

In 1925, Jacques Zwobada won a gold medal at a big art show called the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts. This was a huge achievement! The next year, he was asked to create a monument for a musician named André Caplet.

In 1928, he won a special award in sculpture called the deuxième second grand prix of the Prix de Rome. Then, in 1929, he and another artist, René Letourneur, won an international competition. They were chosen to create a giant monument for Simón Bolívar in Quito, Ecuador. It took them four years to finish this huge project!

Teaching Art

In 1934, Zwobada became a teacher at the École des Arts Appliqués in Paris. He taught there for many years, until 1962. He also taught at another school, the École Normale Supérieure de l'Enseignement Technique, in 1944.

Love and Inspiration

In 1948, Zwobada married Antonia Fiermonte. He loved Antonia very much, and his deep feelings for her inspired many of his artworks. He created many sculptures that celebrated her beauty.

That same year, Zwobada traveled to Venezuela for two years. He taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Caracas and also advised the Venezuelan government on art. In 1948, he won the Grand Prix for sculpture at an art exhibition in Caracas.

Later Life and Honors

Sadly, his wife Antonia passed away in 1956 when she was 42 years old. Zwobada created a beautiful monument for her in a cemetery near Rome, Italy. His friend, the architect Paul Herbé, helped design it.

In 1962, Zwobada stopped teaching full-time. He was then given a special role as a professeur correcteur at the École des Beaux Arts. That same year, the French Minister of Culture honored him as a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. This is a very important award for artists. The next year, he received another high honor, being appointed to the Legion of Honour.

Jacques Zwobada passed away in Paris on September 6, 1967. He was buried next to his beloved wife in Mentana, Italy.

Famous Works

Jacques Zwobada created many important artworks during his life. Some of his most famous pieces include:

• The huge monument to Bolívar in Quito, Ecuador.
• A beautiful mosaic artwork on the famous ocean liner, the SS France.
• Detailed charcoal drawings that were used in the Aubusson tapestry workshops.
• He also illustrated books! He made twenty-five lithographs for Charles Baudelaire's book of poems, Les fleurs du mal.
• He also created ten drawings for Stéphane Mallarmé's poem, L'après-midi d'un faune.

See also

In Spanish: Jacques Zwobada para niños