User:Martin Spitzberg/Artist of the French Army

In France, the title of Army Painter (peintre de l'Armée de terre) is awarded by the Minister of Defense to artists who have devoted their talent to the French army. . This title can be given not only to painters but also to sculptors, illustrators, engravers and photographers.

Rights and Privileges
The title grants certain rights and privileges to the holder:


 * The possibility of receiving missions within units of the Army ;
 * Wearing a uniform with shoulder sheaths bearing the acronym "Painter of the French Army" : the accredited painters are assimilated, only under the protocol, to the rank of capitaine (OF-2), the titular painters to that of commandant (OF-3);
 * The artist's signature on his works may be followed by the Army Painters' Insignia ;
 * Be a member of the Defense Historical Service.

The army painter holds a moral obligation to produce each year art works of a military nature made for the purpose of uplifting the army's reputation. Army painters are required to have at least one of their works exhibited at every exhibition of official army painters.

Accredited painters are appointed for three years, a decision made by a jury consisting of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces, Army officers and titular painters. To become a titular painter, one must have served as an accredited painter for the duration of three years for three successive periods.

The number of accredited painters is limited to twenty people whereas the number of titular painters is unlimited.

History
In the 17th century, the army attached great importance to the works of battle scenes painters, whose mission was not only to leave a record of the fighting for history, but also to provide topographical information for the general staff and contribute to the reputation of the victorious leaders. Famous battle painters in France include Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier and Alphonse de Neuville.

The "corps des peintres, graveurs et sculpteurs du département de l’Armée de terre" also known as the "Peintres des armées, spécialité Terre" is created in 1931.

Since the 1990s, the army painters have been working to highlight in particular those troops who ensure peace and security wherever French army troops are deployed.

An official exhibition, organised by the "Délégation au patrimoine de l'armée de Terre" (Army Heritage Delegation) is held biennally at the Hôtel des Invalides under the direction of the Ministry of Defence. It is where the army painters can showcase their commitment as Artists of the French Army.

Contemporary artists

 * Claude Abba (titular 2013)
 * Paul Anastasiu (titular 2015)
 * Gérard Bachelet (accredited 2013)
 * Éric Bari (titular 2013)
 * Denis Bermond (titular 2002)
 * Fabrice Bouche de Varjac (titular 1996)
 * Christian Cochet († accredited 2015)
 * Laurent Dauptain (titular 2013)
 * Christoff Debusschere (titular)
 * Martine Delaleuf (accredited 2013)
 * Lucien Delmas (accredited 2011)
 * Nadine Enakieff (titular 2018)
 * Jacques Ernotte (titular 1993)
 * Guy Geymann (accredited 2011)
 * Joël Giraud (titular 2015)
 * Thomas Goisque (accredited 2015)
 * Thierry de Gorostarzu (accredited)
 * Anne-Marie Guigon-Moretti (titular 2002)
 * Alain Jamet (accredited 2005)
 * Nacéra Kainou (accredited 2013)
 * Yong-Man Kwon (titular 2013)
 * Thierry Laval (accredited 2013)
 * Anne Le Cléac'h (accredited 2011)
 * François Legrand (accredited 2007)
 * Jean-Claude Lesquer (titular 2009)
 * Daniel Lordey (titular 1995)
 * Isabelle Maury (accredited 2011)
 * Florent Maussion (accredited 2007)
 * Robert Mestelan (titular 1994)
 * Michel Montigné (titular 1996)
 * Gérard Morel (titular 2002)
 * Serge Ostroverhy (titular 2007)
 * André Platrie (titular)
 * Patrice de la Perrière (titular 2018)
 * Michel Pigeon (titular 1998)
 * Daniel Pucet (titular 2018)
 * Danielle Rannou (accredited 2015)
 * Frédéric Robin (titular 2007)
 * Jacques Rohaut (accredited 2000)
 * Christophe Thiry (titular 2015)
 * Jean-Luc Tichadou (titular 2007)
 * Antoine Vincent (accredited 2000)
 * Maghérusan Virgil (accredited 2007)
 * Jean-Marie Zacchi (titular 2004)

Deceased painters

 * Jean Abadie (1921 - 2010)
 * Christian Billet (1944 - 2015)
 * Jean Bille († 1998)
 * Albert Brenet (1903 - 2005)
 * Robert Falcucci (1900 - 1989)
 * Louis Fregier (1929 - 2014)
 * Henri Gault († 2005)
 * Pierre Gautiez
 * Le Corre († 2006)
 * Philippe Lejeune
 * Eugène Lelipevre (1908 - 2013)
 * Guy Le Borgne, alias Guy Lezachmeur (1920 - 2007)
 * Serge Markó (1926 - 2014)
 * Denys Muguet (1935 - 2013)
 * Marc Monkowichki († 2011)
 * André Montagné († 2002)
 * Roger Nédélec (1927 - 2015)
 * Andréas Rosenberg († 2002)
 * Lucien Rousselot (1900 - 1992)
 * Daniel Schintone (1927 - 2015)
 * Michel Tesmoingt (1928 - 2011)

Related articles

 * Army Museum (Paris)
 * Army Heritage Delegation
 * Defense Historical Service
 * Painters of the French armies
 * Navy Painter
 * Air Painter