Comic in Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant (26/1/1950)
François Lejeune, who used the pseudonym Effel, after his initials, was born in Paris in 1908 as the son of a merchant and a teacher of the German language. He studied art, music and philosophy in Paris, stayed in England for a while and served with the Hussars. His father wanted him to take over the business, but Jean Effel decided to become a professional artist. After trying to become a playwright and a painter, he started offering his illustrations to various French magazines. Soon he was one of the most sought after illustrators in France.
Jean Effel's most important works are a collection of anti-fascist caricatures (1935), the children's fairytale 'Turelune le Cornepipeux' (1944) and the series 'La Création du Monde', which started in 1945. These cartoons were published in five books: 'Le Ciel et la Terre', 'Les Plantes et Animaux', 'L'Homme', 'La Femme' and 'Le Roman d'Adam et Eve'. In 1953, he created 'When Animals Still Talked'.
comic from Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant
Jean Effel was a versatile artist, who made cartoons, posters and pamphlets. His optimistic and sympathetic style has made him one of the greatest illustrators of France. Jean Effel died in Paris in 1982.