Hovhannes “Jean” Semerdjian

1920 – Born in Silez village (Turkey).

1922 – The family moved to Thessaloniki (Greece).

1929 – Moved to France.

1934-1936 – Studied at the Free Academies of Montparnasse and Sabatier’s workshop (Paris).

1938 – Graduated from the School of Decorative Arts (Paris).

Engaged in painting and graphic arts.

1944 – After an exhibition at the “Salon des Indépendants,” began his exhibition activity.

Two paintings on Armenian themes are currently displayed at the Armenian Art Museum in Paris.

1951 – Awarded the “Populist” prize.

1953 – Awarded the “Antral” prize, which brought him great recognition.

1954 – Received a National Grant.

1955 – The Jean Sempe Museum opened at the “Ginza” Gallery (Tokyo).

1956 – Elected President of the Young Painters’ Salon.

1958-1959 – In Mexico, the artist was awarded the “Camparezo” and “Brück” prizes.

1966 – The Jean Sempe Museum opened at the “Azumino” Gallery (Tokyo).

From the 1970s – His primary focus shifted to engraving.

1982 – An album of Jean Sempe’s paintings was published in Paris.

2001 – Awarded the honorary Doctorate from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

2002 – Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia abroad.

Knight of the “Saint Mesrop Mashtots” Order.

The artist illustrated works by Cervantes, Baudelaire, Villon, Basset, Camus, Lorca, and others.

Jean Sempe’s solo exhibitions number in the dozens and have been held in Paris, New York, Chicago, London, Tokyo, Rome, Brussels, Beirut, Yerevan, and elsewhere.

In connection with the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the artist dedicated a series of paintings to the Genocide Museum-Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, and the museum currently features a permanent exhibition of Jean Sempe’s “Genocide” series.

Works are held in the Museum of Contemporary Art (Yerevan), the National Gallery of Armenia (Yerevan), the Genocide Museum (Yerevan), and numerous other galleries and private collections around the world.

2013 – Died in Sene-en-Yvelines (France).