Jean Lambert-Rucki studied at the school of fine arts in Cracow from 1906 to 1910. He moved to Paris in 1911, where he studied at the Académie Colarossi alongside Kisling, who had been his former classmate in Cracow. He became a close friend of Modigliani, with whom he shared a studio, Chaim Soutine and other artists based in Montparnasse.

His work employed a very wide range of techniques. He is best known for his polychrome sculptures of religious subjects, often of the unloved, the poor and animals, portrayed in a naive, gentle style. Describing his work, Michel Seuphor wrote of its 'wide interpretation of religious themes. It has a very original style, both naive and tender. Its basic contours seek to convey a kind of touching honesty. It has many humorous references, and the influence of the primitives is evident throughout'.

As well as the primitives' influence, his depictions of animals and his masks also reveal common ground with the Byzantines, aspects of Cubism, and, in certain works, the theatrical creations of Oskar Schlemmer. His works include a large number of drawings, paintings and mosaics.

Collective exhibitions include the Salon des Indépendents, the Salon d'Automne and the Salon des Tuileries, Paris. He held solo exhibitions in Paris (1942, 1943, 1952 and 1954). His posthumous exhibition was held at the Musée Bourdelle, Paris (1977) and another retrospective was held in 1968 at the Galerie Jacques de Vos, Paris, which continues to feature regular exhibitions of his works.
Museum and Gallery Holdings

Paris (MNAM-CCI)