Jane Poupelet: Sculptor of Animals, Nudes, and Prosthetic Masks for WWI Veterans

Jane Poupelet (1874–1932) was a notable French sculptor and illustrator celebrated for her animal figures, representations of female nudes, and groundbreaking efforts in crafting prosthetic masks for soldiers disfigured during World War I. Raised in the Dordogne region, she pursued her studies at the Beaux-Arts school in Bordeaux and later at the Académie Julian in Paris, where she mingled with prominent artists like Auguste Rodin and Antoine Bourdelle. To break into the male-dominated art scene, she initially showcased her work under the alias Simon de la Vergne, earning a prize at the 1900 World's Fair and revealing her true identity in 1901. Her artistic style, marked by geometric simplicity and precise gestures, garnered her critical recognition and numerous commissions. In 1921, she was appointed president of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. During the war, she collaborated with Anna Ladd, Francis Wood, and Marie-Louise Brent at the Studio for Portrait Mask in Paris, where they crafted custom copper masks for gueules cassées, ensuring each mask was painted to match the soldier's skin tone and features, thereby helping to restore their pre-war identities. For her contributions, Poupelet was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1928. After becoming ill in 1925, she shifted her focus to drawing, continuing to portray animals and female nudes until her passing in 1932.