Raymond-Emile Waydelich was born in Strasbourg (Neudorf) in 1938 as the son of a sculptor and is considered one of the best-known contemporary artists in France. His extensive and experimental oeuvre includes not only paintings, works on paper and sculptures, but also performances and assemblages.
In 1973, Raymond-Emile Waydelich discovered a manuscript from 1890 that belonged to an apprentice seamstress, Lydia Jacob, who was born in Neudorf. Based on this diary, the artist reimagined Lydia Jacob's life and has since devoted much of his work to her in a series now known as the “Lydia Jacob Story.”
In 1952, Waydelich began an apprenticeship as a sculptor in his father's studio. After studying decorative arts in Strasbourg and Paris, he trained as a photographer. After accompanying the army in Algeria and Roman excavations as a photo reporter, he returned to art. In 1978, he exhibited in the French pavilion at the Venice Biennale and realized a project for documenta X. His works are characterized by his numerous travels but also by icons of Modern art or mythology. His style often takes up perspectives, motifs and elements of prehistoric cave paintings and has echoes of fantastic realism. Raymond Emile Waydelich last lived and worked in Hindisheim near Strasbourg, where he died on August 9th, 2024.
Raymond-Emile WAYDELICH, "Lidya Jacob Story Voyage Inv. Nr-4407-1977",
Wall Object, 30 x 30 x 8 cm
