Jean Effel

François Lejeune, who used the pseudonym Effel, after his initials, was born in Paris in 1908 as the son of a merchant and a teacher of the German language. He studied art, music and philosophy in Paris, stayed in England for a while and served with the Hussars. His father wanted him to take over the business, but Jean Effel decided to become a professional artist. After trying to become a playwright and a painter, he started offering his illustrations to various French magazines. Soon he was one of the most sought after illustrators in France.

Jean Effel's most important works are a collection of anti-fascist caricatures (1935), the children's fairytale 'Turelune le Cornepipeux' (1944) and the series 'La Création du Monde', which started in 1945. These cartoons were published in five books: 'Le Ciel et la Terre', 'Les Plantes et Animaux', 'L'Homme', 'La Femme' and 'Le Roman d'Adam et Eve'. In 1953, he created 'When Animals Still Talked'.

Jean Effel was a versatile artist, who made cartoons, posters and pamphlets. His optimistic and sympathetic style has made him one of the greatest illustrators of France. Jean Effel died in Paris in 1982.