Jules Oury, Dit Marcel-Lenoir Paintings

Jules Oury, better known by his pseudonym Marcel-Lenoir (1872–1931), was a French painter, decorator, and illustrator associated with Symbolism and Art Nouveau. Born in Montauban, France, he initially trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse. Lenoir's early works were influenced by the Symbolist movement, and he found inspiration in the works of Alphonse Mucha and the Pre-Raphaelites.

His style evolved over the years, incorporating elements of Romanesque and Renaissance art, which he admired during his travels throughout Italy. Lenoir's paintings often featured mystical and allegorical themes, characterized by their dreamlike quality and the use of sinuous lines and rich colors. He was also known for his monumental murals and stained glass windows, which can be found in various public buildings and churches in France.

Beyond his visual arts practice, Marcel-Lenoir was also involved in the decorative arts and designed tapestries and furnishings. His dedication to integrating art into everyday life was aligned with the principles of the Art Nouveau movement, which advocated for the unification of fine and applied arts. Despite his talent, Marcel-Lenoir was not as commercially successful as some of his contemporaries, and his work was somewhat overshadowed by other artists of the era.

He founded the Salon d'Automne in 1903 along with other artists, which became an important venue for the promotion of new art styles in Paris. Throughout his life, Lenoir continued to exhibit his work in various salons and galleries, yet he remained relatively obscure in the art world. Marcel-Lenoir died in 1931, leaving behind a unique body of work that has been appreciated more posthumously, with renewed interest in his contribution to early 20th-century French art.