Piem was a French humor cartoonist of the second half of the 20th century. A well-known figure in press cartooning, he contributed to numerous newspapers and became famous with the general public by drawing live on television.
Piem(1923 — 2020)
Piem
France
5 min read
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Born in 1923 in Saint-Étienne, died in 2020
- Humor cartoonist published in numerous French newspapers (Le Figaro, Paris Match, La Croix)
- Became famous with the general public by drawing live on television programs such as Le Petit Rapporteur and Droit de réponse
- Author of a great many albums and collections of humorous drawings
- A notable figure in French press cartooning of the late 20th century
Works & Achievements
Caricatures and humorous drawings commenting on current events for one of France's biggest magazines.
Televised drawing performances that made Piem popular with the general public.
Gently humorous drawings for Catholic publications, a reflection of his faith.
Illustrated collections gathering his drawings and setting down in book form his view of French society.
A regular presence in the daily and magazine press, the mark of a long career as a cartoonist.
Anecdotes
The pen name “Piem” is no great mystery: it simply comes from the initials of his real name, Pierre de Montvallier (P. M., pronounced “pee-em”). A short, snappy pseudonym, perfect for signing a drawing in the corner of a newspaper page.
The general public discovered him in the mid-1970s on the television show “Le Petit Rapporteur”: Piem would sketch the week's guests and news live, in a few quick strokes. Drawing live is a perilous exercise, with no room for error and no eraser, and it made his reputation.
A devout Catholic, Piem long contributed to the Christian press, such as the daily La Croix and the weekly Le Pèlerin, proving that humour and faith could get along just fine. His humour stayed kind-hearted, more tender than fierce.
Piem worked a great deal for major titles of the French press, notably Paris Match, where his drawings commented on the mood of the times with mischief. He also published many albums bringing together his best drawings.
Primary Sources
Every Sunday, Piem draws the week's guests and events live in front of the cameras, sketched with a lively, mischievous stroke.
His drawings appeared regularly in Paris Match, Le Figaro, La Croix and Le Pèlerin, commenting on current events with kindly humor.
Piem gathered his press cartoons into illustrated collections, portraits of a rapidly changing France seen through the pencil of a humorist.
Key Places
Village in Auvergne where Pierre de Montvallier was born in 1923. His Auvergne roots shaped his origins.
Capital of the French press and television, where Piem built his career as a humorous cartoonist. There he contributed to the major newspapers and TV studios.
Sets where Piem drew live, notably for “Le Petit Rapporteur”. It was there that he won over the general public.
Town in the Hauts-de-Seine where Piem passed away in 2020, at the age of 96.
Typical Objects
Basic tools of the newspaper cartoonist, chosen to sketch a caricature quickly and cleanly. The black marker gives Piem's line its immediate readability.
Large tilted support on which the artist draws, including live in front of the cameras. It lets the audience watch the drawing come to life stroke after stroke.
Deep black ink used for the lines and solid areas of newspaper drawing. Its density ensures good reproduction in print.
The medium that spread Piem's drawings, from the daily paper to the weekly magazine. This is where his caricatures reached millions of readers.
The eye of the studio that captures the cartoonist at work and broadcasts his gestures to the audience. It turned Piem into a small-screen star.
Books gathering a selection of his best humorous drawings. In bookshops they extend the fleeting life of newspaper cartoons.
School Curriculum
Vocabulary & Tags
Key Vocabulary
Daily Life
Morning
In the morning, the cartoonist reads the press and listens to the news to spot the topical subjects worth sketching. Once he has found an idea, he settles at his drawing board and looks for the right angle, often the funniest one.
Afternoon
The afternoon is devoted to working on the line: pencil sketch, inking with a felt-tip pen or Indian ink, then the clean final version. He also has to deliver the drawings to the newsrooms on time, because the newspaper waits for no one.
Evening
In the evening, when he appears on television, he heads to the studio to draw live in front of the cameras. On days without a broadcast, he prepares his future drawings or organizes his albums.
Food
Like any Frenchman of his time, he enjoys classic meals: a starter, a main course, cheese and dessert. His Auvergne roots tie him to a simple and hearty regional cuisine.
Clothing
He wears the city outfit of a 20th-century press man: jacket, shirt and sometimes a tie. A sober look, that of a discreet professional behind his pencil.
Housing
He lives and works in the Paris region, close to the newsrooms and television studios. A studio or an office, well-lit and tidy, serves as his creative space.
Historical Timeline
Period Vocabulary
Liens externes & ressources
Références
Œuvres
Dessins de presse pour Paris Match
seconde moitié du XXe siècle
Dessins en direct dans « Le Petit Rapporteur »
1975-1976
Collaborations à la presse chrétienne (La Croix, Le Pèlerin)
années 1960-1990
Albums de dessins d'humour
années 1960-1990
Collaborations à de nombreux journaux (Le Figaro, Télé 7 Jours…)
seconde moitié du XXe siècle
