Jean Carzou was born in Aleppo, Syria

1919 Moved to Cairo, Egypt

1924 Finished Kalousdian Armenian School in Cairo, obtained an American scholarship to go and study in Paris

1929 Graduated from the School of Architecture in Paris. As an autodidact, attended the Montparnasse Art Academy (La Grande Chaumière) in Paris, France

1930 First exhibition at the Independent Salon, Paris, France

Since 1930 Takes part in the exhibitions of the Union of Armenian Artists “Ani”, Paris, France

1939 First personal exhibition at Galerie Contemporaine, Paris, France

Since 1939 Had more than a hundred personal exhibitions in France and abroad

Since 1941 Takes part in the exhibitions of the Autumn Salon, Paris, France

1952 Created costumes and sceneries for the opera-ballet “The Gallant Indians” for Opèra de Paris, France

1953 An exhibition of his Venetian landscapes was open in the gallery David and Garnier, Paris, France

1953 Created the settings and costumes of “The Wolf” ballet for Paris Opera Ballet Roland Petit, which was produced again by La Scala de Milan (1963)

1954 Created stage-sets and costumes of “Giselle” ballet for Opèra de Paris, France

1955 Created costumes and sceneries of “Athalie” for la Comèdie-Française in Paris, France

1957 Created his famous antiwar series “The Apocalypse” in Paris, France

1958 Illustrated the book “France” by A. Morua

1959 The creation of his “Earthly Paradise” series

1959 Personal exhibition in New York, USA

1964 Illustrated E. Hemingway’s novel “A Farewell to Arms”

1965 Illustrated “Notebooks” by A. Camus

Till 1966 Had about 50 personal exhibitions in Cairo, Alexandria, Beirut (1950), Geneva (1951), Brussels (1953), London (1954), Frankfurt (1966), many times in Paris and in other big centers of France

1966 First personal exhibition in Yerevan, Armenia

1969 Illustrated E. Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”

1976 Carzou became the first living artist to have his work “Distant Princess” appear on a French postage stamp

1977 Was elected a member of the French Academy of Fine Arts

1983 Personal exhibition in Yerevan, Armenia

1991 The Church of Manosque (Provence, France) in which he had decorated the chapel became Carzou Foundation

1994 Creation of “To Versailles” series

2007 Personal exhibition devoted to the 100th anniversary of his birth was held at the National Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia

2013 French – Armenian Art at Arame Art Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia

2014 A Unique Art Show Featuring the Works of French-Armenian Artist Jean Carzou at Arame Art Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia

Titles and Awards

1930 In an exhibition of French painters Carzou’s painting “Old Gardens of Alcazar” wins the first prize

1949 Was awarded the Hallmark prize for his painting “The Shepherd and the Mage”

1951 Was awarded the Hallmark prize

1954 Won the Grand Prize of Ile de France for his “Derelict castle at Bougival”

1955 Was awarded the Hallmark prize

1955 Won the Grand Prize in the International Biennale in Tokyo, Japan

1956 Knight of the French Legion of Honor

1958 Was awarded the Grand Prize “Europe” at the Biennale in Bruges, Belgium

1958 Commander of France’s Order of Arts and Letters

1977 Commander of France’s National Order of Merit

1980 Was awarded the prize of Martiros Sarian in Yerevan, Armenia