Quick Facts
Biography
Ion Jalea (Romanian pronunciation: [iˈon ˈʒale̯a]; born 19 May 1887 – died 7 November 1983) was a Romanian sculptor, titular member of the Romanian Academy.
Biography
Artistic studies
Born on 19 May 1887, in the little town of Casimcea, Tulcea county, Ion Jalea studied first at The School of Arts and Crafts (in Romanian, Școala de Arte și Meserii) and then at the Academy of Beaux Arts (Academia de Arte Frumoase) in Bucharest, where he was the pupil of the renowned Romanian sculptors Frederik Storck and Dimitrie Paciurea. The final touch of his artistic education was given in Paris at the Académie Julian, with the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle.
World War One
During World War One, Ion Jalea was part of the Romanian Army and fought in a series of battles. He was severely wounded and lost his left arm that had to be amputated next to the shoulder. After recuperating, despite being an amputee, he continued to dedicate his life to sculpture, as he did before. He became a well-known sculptor by working with his right arm only, and his greatest achievements were after he lost his arm.