Jean Geoffroy (French painter) 1853 - 1924
aka Géo (pseudonym); Jean Geoffroy; Jean Jules Henri Geoffroy; Henry-Jules-Jean Geoffroy In 1853, he became a pupil of Adam Levasseur at the age of 18. After being accepted into the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, Geoffroy studied with Léon Bonnat. Geoffroy gained popular acclaim as an artist during his lifetime. His paintings were exhibited throughout Paris. Although he experimented with different mediums and painted various subjects, he tended to focus on children in his works. His talent for painting them made him much sought after by wealthy families to paint portraits of their children. Eventually, an editor inspired him to illustrate and write children's books. The artist's achievements included debuting at the Salon de Paris in 1874 at the age of 21. At the Salon, he garnered several awards, including a silver medal in 1886. From 1880 he signed his works as GEO. At the Exhibition Universelle in 1900, he won a gold medal. In 1885, in recognition of his patriotism during the Franco-Prussian War, he was inducted into the Légion d'honneur. Geoffroy died in Paris in 1924.
