Roger Chapelet
Encyclopedia
Roger Chapelet was a French maritime painter
, born in Versailles
, France.
Originally from the Perigord
province, he discovered his maritime passion boarding the Rollo in 1927, where his brother was a radio operator in the port of Marseilles. This was the beginning of his painting career at sea. He would then make a series of paintings in various ports: Le Havre
, Antwerp, and Rotterdam
. He sailed for the first time in 1929 to explore new horizons, and he boarded sailing boats to paint the fishermen on the banks of Newfoundland
and Greenland
. In the 1930s, he became the painter of the main French naval armaments, and in 1936, he was named Peintre de la Marine
and became a member of the Naval Academy. During World War II
, Chapelet served on the transatlantic convoys between 1939 and 1940. From 1942 to 1945, he served as commissioner of the navy in the Mediterranean, and in 1946, in Indochina
. Meanwhile, he continued to paint different military operations and naval battles. He returned to civilian life after the war, and he became the painter of several ship companies: Mixed Company, Paquet, Compagnie Générale Transatlantique
, National Navigation Company, etc. Chapelet died in Montpon-Ménestérol
, France on 30 June 1995.
Along with Marin-Marie and Albert Brenet, Chapelet is considered one of the three great 20th century painters of the French Navy. He is the father of international organist
Francis Chapelet.
Marine art
Marine art or maritime art is any form of figurative art that portrays or draws its main inspiration from the sea. Maritime painting is a genre that depicts ships and the sea—a genre particularly strong from the 17th to 19th centuries...
, born in Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
, France.
Originally from the Perigord
Périgord
The Périgord is a former province of France, which corresponds roughly to the current Dordogne département, now forming the northern part of the Aquitaine région. It is divided into four regions, the Périgord Noir , the Périgord Blanc , the Périgord Vert and the Périgord Pourpre...
province, he discovered his maritime passion boarding the Rollo in 1927, where his brother was a radio operator in the port of Marseilles. This was the beginning of his painting career at sea. He would then make a series of paintings in various ports: Le Havre
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
, Antwerp, and Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
. He sailed for the first time in 1929 to explore new horizons, and he boarded sailing boats to paint the fishermen on the banks of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
and Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
. In the 1930s, he became the painter of the main French naval armaments, and in 1936, he was named Peintre de la Marine
Peintre de la Marine
Peintre de la Marine is a title awarded by the minister of defence in France to artists who have devoted their talents to the sea, the French Navy and other maritime subjects...
and became a member of the Naval Academy. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Chapelet served on the transatlantic convoys between 1939 and 1940. From 1942 to 1945, he served as commissioner of the navy in the Mediterranean, and in 1946, in Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
. Meanwhile, he continued to paint different military operations and naval battles. He returned to civilian life after the war, and he became the painter of several ship companies: Mixed Company, Paquet, Compagnie Générale Transatlantique
Compagnie Générale Transatlantique
The Compagnie Générale Transatlantique , typically known overseas as the French Line, was a shipping company established during 1861 as an attempt to revive the French merchant marine, the poor state of which was indicated during the Crimean War of 1856...
, National Navigation Company, etc. Chapelet died in Montpon-Ménestérol
Montpon-Ménestérol
Montpon-Ménestérol is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.-Population:-References:*...
, France on 30 June 1995.
Along with Marin-Marie and Albert Brenet, Chapelet is considered one of the three great 20th century painters of the French Navy. He is the father of international organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
Francis Chapelet.