Louis Bourgeois-Borgex 1873-1959

Louis Bourgeois began his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lyon, where he trained under Jean-Louis Loubet and Adolphe Castex-Desgrange. He later moved to Paris to study with Léon Gérôme and began his professional career under the name “L. Borgex” as a draftsman and “L. Bourgeois-Borgex” as a painter. His first exhibition was at the Salon de Lyon in 1895, and from 1898 he exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Français.

In the early 1890s, Borgex was close to Aristide Bruant and the artistic community of Montmartre. He also pursued caricature, contributing to Rabelais and L’Éclaire, and produced art lithographs for L’Estampe Moderne, including the notable series Les Sardinières.

Between 1907 and 1914, Borgex produced numerous drawings, including the series Petits métiers de rue for various chocolate brands (Chocolat Louit, Chocolat du Planteur), and created some chromolithographic advertisements signed by him. He also executed 38 drawings of composers and, in 1913, published a biography of the musician Vincent d’Indy. Additionally, he collaborated on the Collection des Cent.

After World War I, the painter became less active, contributing occasionally to critical writings. He died in 1959.