What caused the painter Paul Thevenaz's death?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Art Deco Society of Washington : One Thread

Recently, I obtained a copy of a book on painting & drawings by Paul Thevenaz. It was published in 1922 a year after Thevenaz had died at 30 years old. He was an amazing Art Deco muralist and illustrator who is little known today. I've been trying to find out more information on him, but have been having a hard time. I'm really curious about what caused his death at such an early age. Any information on him would be appreciated.

-- Nora Lynn Peters (noralynnpeters@hotmail.com), August 11, 2001

Answers

Hello. Paul Thevenaz died of a ruptured appendix. My wife was a great friend and helped him with his mural at the Deering estate. If you have his book, she is pictured, Evangeline Brewster Johnson. Thevenaz was the partner of Witter Bynner in Santa Fe, New Mexico when he died.

-- Charles Merrill (Charles6@aol.com), November 10, 2001.

Lack of sleep

-- Mark Berkley (havokslair@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

According to the unpublished diaries of the influential American decorator Ruby Ross Goodnow, aka Ruby Ross Wood, 1881-1950, Paul (aka Paulet) Thévenaz died of peritonitis after suffering a ruptured appendix at the Connecticut home of a mutual friend, the artist Lauren Ford.

-- Mitchell Owens (mowens@hfmus.com), February 26, 2003.

Je suis en train de publier en France le Journal de Mireille Havet, qui fut une proche amie de Paulet Thevenaz, lorsqu'il était l'un des piliers des cours de Gymnastique rythmique de Jaques-Dalcroze à Paris (années dix). Je suis contente d'apprendre les circonstances de la mort de Paulet Thevenaz car, ici, à Paris, courait la rumeur de son suicide aux USA. Par hasard, sauriez-vous où se trouvent les archives de Paulet Thévenaz (s'il y en a): j'aimerais y retrouver d'une part des lettres de Mireille Havet, d'autre part un ou des portraits qu'il aurait faits d'elle (sur votre catalogue d'exposition, y a-t-il mention de ces portraits?). Les archives de Mireille Havet sont, elles, déposées à la bibliothèque de l'université de Lettres de Montpellier et aussi chez leur propriétaire, Dominique Tiry. Cla

-- Claire Paulhan (claire.paulhan@wanadoo.fr), October 28, 2004.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ