Henry Somm (1844–1907), born François Clément Sommier in Rouen, was a French illustrator, watercolorist, and printmaker celebrated for his delicate depictions of Parisian life. After training in Rouen and later in Paris under Isidore Pils, he became a prolific graphic artist, producing thousands of drawings and watercolors.
Deeply influenced by Japonisme, Somm developed a refined and elegant style that captured the charm of the Belle Époque. He was especially skilled at portraying the stylish women of Paris, the Parisiennes, with light, fluid lines and a subtle sense of atmosphere. Though invited by Edgar Degas to exhibit with the Impressionists in 1879, he remained an independent observer of modern urban elegance. His sketches and watercolors remain among the most graceful visual records of Belle Époque Paris.
These charming works showcase the light touch and refined observation of Henry Somm, a master at sketching the elegant Parisienne of the Belle Époque.
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