French Academician’s Habit of Julian Green and René de Obaldia
This is a French Academician’s habit, made according to the prescriptions set by the Académie française for its members’ uniform. Julian Green (1900–1998), for whom it was commissioned, was the first non-French national to be elected to the Académie (1971). Green achieved literary recognition in France for his novels and above all his diaries, which he wrote in French, and for the central themes of his oeuvre, which include the tensions between his homosexuality and faith on the one hand, and religion on other, as well as self-destruction. Although born and raised in France, Green identified as an American and especially as someone whose roots are in the South. His Academician habit was gifted by his adopted son, the French novelist and playwright Éric Jourdan (1938–2015), to the French playwright and poet René de Obaldia (1918–2022) upon Obaldia’s election as Green’s successor in 1999. It was meant as a posthumous token of Green’s appreciation for Obaldia’s work, and Obaldia proudly wore it at the solemn meetings of the Aacdémie. It is rare for a French Academician uniform to be passed onto another member of the Académie. By comparison, it is much more common for the swords that the Academicians carry with their habit to be symbolically bequeathed or gifted to newly elected members.
Artwork Details
- Title: French Academician’s Habit of Julian Green and René de Obaldia
- Design House: Maison Claude Berceville
- Design House: Stark & Sons
- Date: 1971–72
- Geography: Paris
- Culture: French
- Medium: Textile, felt, metallic thread, ostrich feathers, metals
- Dimensions: H. approx. 70 7/8 in. (180 cm)
- Classification: Costumes
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Arms and Armor Gifts, 2023
- Object Number: 2023.101a–g
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Peter Johnsson
2019
Emile Fernand-Dubois
dated 1908
Auguste Albert Herbemont
Coulaux et Compagnie
ca. 1935–1936
American or British
early 20th century
Multiple artists/makers
1925
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.