Lucie Bouniol

Lucie Bouniol (16 December 1896 – 31 January 1988) was a French sculptor and painter from the department of Tarn in southern France, who exhibited widely throughout the 20th century.

Biography Bouniol was born in the family chateau in Giroussens; her father was a physician and her mother a pianist. She studied art in Marseille and then at Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. She was also known to be a student of sculptors Antoine Bourdelle and Paul Landowski at their Paris studios. During this period, she prepared a sculpture for the Rome Prize competition, but when academics suggested that she retouch it to make it more acceptable, she refused and withdrew it from consideration.

Awards and honors

Bouniol received numerous awards, including the Chenavard prize. For a time, she chaired the art section of the International Women's Leisure and Sports Club and used her position to promote art by other female artists. Place Lucie Bouniol is a square in Giroussens named in her honor. The village has housed a permanent collection of her artwork since 2000.

Collette connection According to Canonica, Bouniol was a long-time friend of the writer Colette. The two exchanged letters for many years and Colette "contributed to the awakening of her feminist consciousness." Canonica remarks that "throughout [Bouniol's] life and her artistic career, this great Lady has been interested in the emancipation of women and made her contribution to it in her own way."

Published book Colette, and Lucie Bouniol. Les Petits Mots De Colette, Les Dessins De Lucie: [exposition, Giroussens, Maison De La Céramique Contemporaine, 26 Juin-31 Octobre 2004]. Giroussens (Place Lucie-Bouniol, 81500: Maison de la céramique contemporaine, 2004. Print.