Jan Balet
Born in 1913.
Died in 2009.
Jan Balet (1913–2009) was a German-American artist documented as a painter, graphic artist and illustrator. His output is often described as that of a “naïve” painter and, according to Artsper, is characterised by deadpan humour and a view of life that is both candid and satirical.
He studied at the Munich School of Art, from which, according to the source, he was expelled in 1932. At the beginning of his career, he worked at a lithography institute and for the Wallach art gallery; these activities are attested by the same entry. According to SIKART, he emigrated to the United States in 1938 and settled in New York.
The same sources report a return to Munich in 1965, followed by a move to La Landelle in 1973 and then to Estavayer-le-Lac in 1977.
Professionally, Jan Balet also worked as a graphic artist and illustrator, notably of children’s books, a role that accompanied his painting practice according to Artsper. The convergence between a visibly graphic practice and a tone that several entries describe as naïve and ironic is also reflected in descriptions of his work and his publications for young readers. The information presented here summarises the entries consulted (SIKART, Artsper and directories mentioning the signature ‘Jan Balet (1913–2009)’); each sentence refers to the documentary sources indicated.
