René Ben Sussan

René Ben Sussan, sometimes written as Ben-Sussan or Bensussan, was born in 1895 in Thessaloniki, Greece. A versatile artist, he distinguished himself as a painter, illustrator, and engraver, and became a French citizen in 1926.

His career began in the 1920s, with his first exhibitions at the Salon d’Automne as early as 1921 and at the Salon des Tuileries starting in 1924. His early works focused on landscapes and portraits, influenced by his travels to Marseille and Spain during the war. After the war, his friendship with the artist Alexander Calder guided him toward a form of abstraction tinged with surrealism.

In addition to his painting practice, Ben Sussan also gained recognition as an illustrator, collaborating with prestigious publishing houses to illustrate classic literary works. Among his most notable achievements are the illustrations for “Carmen” (1930, La Pléiade), “The Merchant of Venice” (1939, Limited Editions Club), and “Eugénie Grandet” (1960, London).

The artist is also the author of numerous graphic works, such as his iconic painting “Bal à Porquerolles,” which evokes the atmosphere of a party on the island. His career as an illustrator was enriched by his contributions to limited editions for publishers like the “Limited Editions Club” and “Heritage Press,” for which he created hand-drawn illustrations. The Bibliothèque nationale de France lists around twenty illustrated works by him between 1925 and 1948, highlighting the importance of his work in the field of literary illustration.

René Ben Sussan is laid to rest in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy in both painting and illustration.