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Biography
Gustave Fraipont (1849, Brussels – 1923, Paris) was a painter, sculptor, illustrator and poster-designer. Born in Belgium, he later became a naturalised French citizen.
Professor of drawing at the Maison d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur, he was the author of numerous books on the art of drawing. In 1885, he provided illustrations for the series The Littoral of France at the publisher Victor Palme. He also illustrated books on Paris and the French regions. He produced books for young people such as 'Andre the Miller' and 'Sailor Yves'. He also illustrated the 'Letters of My Mill', 'Perrault's Tales', 'Robinson Crusoe', 'Câline Zenaide Fleuriot'.
He painted numerous posters for railway companies, including Western Railways and North, as well as official documents and paper securities. His poster Pierrefonds, North company was reproduced in the magazine 'The Masters of the Poster' (1895-1900). He contributed to many newspapers and magazines, such as French and Paris Courier. In 1905, he was appointed Navy painter.
During World War II, he produced several compositions for the newspaper 'L'Illustration', including the monuments destroyed by war: Ypres Halls, Reims Cathedral and Arras Town Hall. Gustave Fraipont was the father of Georges Fraipont (1873-1912), a member of the Society of French Artists, also an illustrator of books, but especially known for his paintings.