Leon Ernest Drivier (1878-1951)

Léon-Ernest Drivier was born in Grenoble on October 22, 1878. From a very early age, he entertained a passion for drawing. With the support of his teachers and of his father, who was a glove-maker, he gained a scholarship and entered Paris’ Ecole des Beaux-Arts where Félix Barrias was his teacher. He joined Rodin’s studio and there established himself as a marble-cutter along with Camille Claudel, Antoine Bourdelle, Lucien and Gaston Schnegg, Charles Despiau, François Pompon, Robert Wlérick and Jane Poupelet. This group of artists, often referred to as “la Bande à Schnegg”, came up with a classical and synthetic reaction to Rodin’s sensitive and foaming style. Drivier especially admired Donatello and Greek sculptors.