SOMM, Henry
(b. 1844 Rouen, d. 1907 Paris)
French painter, illustrator, designer and printmaker (his real name François Clément Sommier). He was trained at the École Municipale de Dessin in Rouen under Gustave Morin (1809-1886). He was obliged to sell illustrations to periodicals to make a living, contributing, among others, to Charge, Cravache, L’Inutile, Chronique parisienne and Courier français. His drawings were spirited, but because their humour often relied on topicality his fame was short-lived.
In 1879 he exhibited at the 4th Impressionist exhibition. In 1890 he met Toulouse-Lautrec and was very impressed by his sketches of daily life. He worked for the Haviland d’Auteuil studio of which Bracquemond was the artistic director.
