Gaston Duchamp, famously known as “Jacques Villon,” was born on July 31, 1875, in Damville (Eure). As the eldest of six children, he led a talented family where four siblings, including Raymond Duchamp-Villon (1876-1918), Marcel Duchamp (1887-1967), and Suzanne Duchamp (1889-1958), all made significant contributions to the art world.

From an early age, he was immersed in art, thanks to his grandfather, Emile Nicolle, a respected painter and engraver. At just 16 years old, he produced his first prints—a technique he diligently refined throughout his career. In 1894, he enrolled in the Faculty of Law but swiftly realized that his true calling lay in art.

He left his studies to join the studio of the painter Cormon, where he embraced the pseudonym “Jacques Villon.” This name was inspired by Alphonse Daudet’s novel « Jack » and reflected his admiration for the medieval poet François Villon. From that point on, Jacques Villon established himself in the industry by creating illustrated newspapers and vibrant posters for Parisian cabaret.