Jean Jullien illustrates the French heat wave
Having moved back to France, the artist and Phaidon author captures summer on the continent with accuracy and wit
The mercury may have dipped in France since last Friday, when temperatures peaked at 45.9 Celsius (114.62 Fahrenheit) - making it the hottest day in France on record – yet the experience lives on.
The artist, children’s author and illustrator Jean Jullien moved back to France earlier this year, and has devoted at least some of his time – when he isn’t creating new clothing lines, staging gallery exhibitions, or making new children’s books – to capture a little contemporary Gallic life.
His culinary take on the French heat wave – posted on his Instagram - certainly expresses a lot of the discomfort he and his countrymen experienced. Yet there are other, more charming takes on the continental summer.
Consider the way he pictures leisurely summer trains; look closely at this picture and you’ll see another passenger peering through the gap at his fellow traveller’s tablet screen; we’ve all been there.
For a more refreshing take on the summer break, take a look at Jullien’s surf images, created for a recent show at the Chandran Gallery in San Francisco; surely that's the seaside adventure we all dream of? Though he’s also posted a salutary reminder for those trying to get beach-body ready, employing that most French of foodstuffs – and bête noire of the crash dieter – bread.
You can see plenty more of his wonderful posts on Instagram, and also buy his beautiful children's books here.
