Alice Kohn
1902-1990

Alice Kohn was born in 1902 in Lyon, France. She was painter, actress, and set designer.

Kohn was a student of Madeleine Plantey. She later studied at l’École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. Around this time she befriended René Dumas, Pierre Pelloux, Antoine Chartres, and Henri Vieilly. These artists exhibited together as “Les Nouveaux.”

Kohn exhibited as early as 1926 at the Salon de Sud Est. She also exhibited at the Galerie Pouillé-Lecoutre and Galerie des Archers.

“Les Nouveaux” first exhibited together in 1931 at the Saint-Pierre gallery. Critics greatly praised Kohn’s works shown at the 1931 Salon d’Autonme de Paris as well as the Salon du Sud Est. The Galerie Saint-Pierre in Lyon organized her first solo exhibition in 1933.

In 1936 Kohn met Pierre Bonnard and Fujita. She became friends with the artist Salvado who was Picasso’s model for his painting “l’Arlequin.” Kohn also modeled for Picasso. In 1941 she exhibited at “Galerie Roger” in Lyon.

Kohn became a member of the French Resistance during World War II. She changed her name to “Marie-Claude” and worked as the secretary for the Regional State Major of Combat.