SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
The French painter, designer, illustrator and writer Jean Hugo (Jean Victor-Hugo, 1894–1984) developed a practice spanning the visual arts, the stage, cinema and books. His educational background includes the Lycée Condorcet. In September 1914, he was assigned to the 36th Infantry Regiment in Caen; he later took part in the battles of the Somme and Verdun, where he was appointed second lieutenant. His artistic vocation emerged during the First World War.
His work for the theatre includes the sets and costumes for Jean Cocteau’s adaptation of Roméo et Juliette in 1924, followed by the staging of his Orphée in 1926. He also designed the sets and costumes for La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc, the film by Carl Theodor Dreyer. From the mid-1930s, his works were exhibited at the Galerie Pierre Colle. Towards the end of the Second World War, he illustrated an edition of Cornet à dés published in tribute to Max Jacob. Alongside this activity, Hugo published two volumes of memoirs: Avant d’oublier, published by Fayard in 1976 and awarded the prix Roland-de-Jouvenel of the Académie française, followed by Le Regard de la Mémoire (1914–1945), published by Actes Sud in 1983 and reissued in 2020.
This profile brings together identity references for Jean Hugo and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
4 references are documented at Dobiaschofsky, Genève Enchères, Piguet. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Oil and gouache on wood (plywood)
"Jardin de Cadaquès".
Öl und Gouache auf (Sperr-)Holz
Catalogue period : 2016-11-11
Published result : 3600 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 4400
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dessin et lavis sur papier
Catalogue period : 2016-09-22
Published result : 400 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 400–600
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Gouache
"Jardin de Cadaqués".
gouache
Date to be documented
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
View the lot at the auction house ↗These references are shown separately because of their attribution or lot composition. Each record states the reason.
Three gouaches on paper
Petites scènes en Grèce — ensemble de trois œuvres
Trois gouaches sur papier
Lot groupé — prix global
Catalogue period : 2021-11-24 — 2021-12-08
Group lot — total price
Published result : 7500 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 2000–3000
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
