Claude Roger-Marx

Claude Roger-Marx (12 November 1888, Paris – 17 May 1977, Paris), was a French writer, and playwright, as well as an art critic and art historian like his father Roger Marx (1859–1913).^[1] He also used the pen name "Claudinet".^[2]

Claude Roger-Marx
Born	12 November 1888 Paris
Died	17 May 1977(1977-05-17) (aged 88) Paris
Pen name	Claudinet
Occupation	writer, playwright, art critic, art historian
Nationality	French
Alma mater	University of Paris
Notable awards	chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (1927), commandeur de la Légion d'honneur (1956)
Spouse	Florestine Caroline Nathan (nickname "Mayotte")
Children	Paulette (1913–1994; married René Asselain), Denis (1922–1944)

Biography

Roger-Marx, son of Roger Marx and Elisa Nathan (1859–1933), achieved his baccalauréat in 1906, studied at the faculties of law and humanities of the University of Paris,^[3] and began to write poems and plays. In 1912 he married Florestine Caroline Nathan, who gave birth to their two children.^[4] He published two novels, before he wrote plays.^[5] In 1927 he became a chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.^[3] Roger Marx's art collection included Edouard Manet's La Sultan^[6] and Paul Signac's Voiles dans la brume. Canal de la Giudecca.^[7]

Nazi persecution in France

When Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940 in World War II, Jews were persecuted. Roger-Marx, who was Jewish, was suspended from his duties in December 1940.^[8] He fled to Marseille in 1941, and in 1943 to Isère. His art collection was seized by the E.R.R., the Nazi looting organization operating in France.^[9] His son, Denis, was imprisoned by the Gestapo and executed on February 25 1944.^[10]

Postwar

His real career as critic and art historian started after the war.^[4] He was a great admirer of art, and became inspector of the Écoles des Beaux-Arts (schools of fine arts). He also was chroniqueur attitré of the Figaro, especially the Figaro Littéraire, its literary supplement, as well as of the Revue de Paris.^[5] In 1956 he was made commander of the Légion d'honneur.^[3]

Works

Novels

• Les Deux Amis, novel, Albin Michel, 1921
• La Tragédie légère, novel, Albin Michel, 1922

Comedies

• Simili, comedy in three acts, Stock, 1930
• Dimanche, comedy in one act, Andrieu frères, 1934
• Biens oisifs, comedy in one act, Stock, 1936
• Lecture, comedy in one act, Stock, 1936
• La Pensionnaire, comedy in three acts, Lejeune, 1936
• Réussite, comedy in one act, Librairie théâtrale, 1936
• 80 printemps, ou les Ardeurs de l'hiver, comedy in one act, Lejeune, 1936
• Nino, comedy in one act, Les Annales, 1937
• Marie ou la Manière douce, comedy in three acts, Denoël, 1938

Art historical works

• Graphic art [of] the 19th century
• Vuillard: His Life & Work, Paul Elek 1946
• Les Lithographies de Renoir, André Sauret, Monte-Carlo, 1952
• Degas: Dancers
• Delacroix (The Great Draughtsmen)
• Dufy: At the races (The petite library of art)
• Dunoyer De Segonzac, 1951
• Daumier: Paintings
• Les Lithographies de Toulouse-Lautrec
• La Gravure originale en France de Manet à nos jours (French Original Prints from Manet to the Present Time)
• Bonnard
• Vertès: Un et divers