Marie-Luce Image, a life at the service of French animation

“Joe petit boum-boum”, by Jean Image (1972). Decor Marie-Luce Image LCJ

Marie-Luce Image died on July 20, at the age of 75. Daughter of the pioneer Jean Image, she devoted her career to promoting French animation, accompanying major works that have marked several generations of spectators. Tribute to

Born on May 1, 1950, Marie-Luce Image grew up in a family of artists. His mother, Eraine, is a painter, while his father, Jean Image (whose real name is emeric Andre Hajdu), is one of the pioneers of French animation. He wrote the Wolf and the lamb, his first animated film inspired by a fable of La Fontaine in 1939, Jeannot the intrepid, first French full-length animated film in color made in 1950, Kiri the clown (1966) and the series Joe.

Marie-Luce is therefore passionate about animation since childhood, initiated by her father. Just out of school, she started with Films Jean Image where she made gouaches on cellulos, thus participating in the family adventure. After studying fine arts, she officially joined the studio founded by her father and designed the sets of au clair DE la lune (1971), then Pluk naufrage DE l ‘espace and Arago X001 (1973). She also contributes to the show Joe Petit Boum Boum, enriched with new scenes.

Her career continued at the prestigious Idefix Studio, where she created the sets for two iconic French animated films: the 12 works of asterix (1976) and Lucky Luke, la balade des daltons (1978), both directed by Rene Goscinny. Passionate and rigorous, she becomes a production assistant on the series Les Mondes engloutis created by Nina Wolmark, produced by France Animation – a company born at the initiative of Jack Lang as part of the Image plan, to breathe new life into French Animation.

In 1986, still at France Animation, she was appointed production director on the series Rahan. She continued her career alongside Philippe Mounier at Marketing Production, where she worked as a Production manager until the end of her career.

Among the many successful series to which Marie-Luce Image contributed, Inspecteur Mouse, Marcelino Pan y Vino and les Copains DE la foret. All testify to his talent and his commitment to the service of creations that have marked several generations. A sensitive and passionate artist, she has put her high standards and talent at the service of French animation, thus contributing to its growth and renewal.