[Léopold Chauveau (1870-1940), a doctor, writer, painter and sculptor].

Abstract

Léopold Chauveau born in Lyon was a renowned writer during the years 1920-1930, then nearly forgotten. He was the son of Augustin Chauveau (1827-1917) the famous veterinary who had a leading role in the scientific life in the 19th century. Léopold Chauveau was particulary appreciated for his tales for kids. Some of his compilations were illustrated by his friend the painter Pierre Bonnard. His novels were published by the NRF so he was very closed to Gide, to Martin du Gard, to Eugene Dabit partners of this publishing house. At the first he was a medecine doctor, house doctor in Paris hospitals, ORL-surgeon, surgeon "beyond the fight" on the battle front during the WWI. But at that time greatly moved by the slaughter he had seen and by the deaths of his nearest and dearest : his wife and two of his four sons, he completely renounced his medical practice. He actually became writer, talented illustrator, monsters sculptor... He died exhausted during the debacle in 1940. His tales for children are a talk to little Renaud (his dead son) beyond the hereafter, they are an outled for one'sorrow. All these texts are now studied by specialists, republished, discovered by the Japanese. All his books and novels are very sensitive,full of a philo- sophic spirit and a delicious imagination. His pictures are outstanding.