Interview - 'From La Fontaine to Charlie Hebdo'
Monday 7th December 2015
French newspaper 'Nouvel Observateur' speaks to Quentin in his studio
Interviewed in his London studio by journalist Marie-Helene Martin, Quentin spoke about his admiration for French illustrators such as Honore Daumier, and his pleasure at being invited to illustrate classic French works for an English audience, several of which have been published by the Folio Society. The most recent of these (2013) was a selection of the Fables of Jean de la Fontaine, selected by Quentin himself.
Touching on his work for French hospitals and public spaces, he noted his work for the maternity hospital in Angers (2011) and his role as curator of a major exhibition at the Petit Palais in Paris (2005-6). Such things, he says, make him proud to be 'chevalier dans deux pays', referring to his award of the Legion d'honneur as well as his knighthood for 'services to illustration' in 2013.
Speaking about recent and contemporary French illustrators whom he admires, Quentin noted Andre Francois in particular, as well as Sempe; alongside the skillful pens at 'Charlie Hebdo' from which flowed an illustrated interview with Quentin at his house in France in 2011.
Subscribers to the online Nouvel Obs can see the full text of the interview here: bibliobs.nouvelobs.com