Lorjou was born in Blois, France just before World War I, and left for Paris at the age of 13. There, Lorjou lived through early years of hardship while working without pay as an errand boy for a printing house. He eventually found a position as a silk designer where he meets his future wife Yvonne Mottet, also an artist and painter. Over the next 30 years, his designs adorn the bodies of many of the world’s most prominent women and provide him an income that allows him to paint on a full-time basis. Lorjou exhibited for the first time at the Salon des Indépendents in 1928. During travels through Spain in 1931, he was inspired by artists such as El Greco, Velasquez, and most of all Goya. Lorjou began painting socio-political events. In 1948, he shared the Critic’s Award with Bernard Buffet. That same year, Lorjou formed the group “l’Homme Temoin” with art critic Jean Bouret The group banded together in an effort to defend figurative painting against the abstract movement and attracted other painters such as Bernard Buffet, Jean Couty, André Minaux, Charazac, and Simone Dat. Over the next 30 years, Lorjou’s work and style go through a series of transformations, while keeping his use of vibrant color. Lorjou is supported by prominent art figures like Georges Wildenstein and Domenica Walter, the widow of Paul Guillaume. Lorjou became known for his extravagant exhibits and combative spirit. His works are exhibited widely throughout the world, namely in France, the United States, and in Japan. On January 26, 1986, Lorjou died from an acute asthma attack at his home in St. Denis sur Loire. Lorjou’s body of work includes thousands of paintings, a collection wood engravings, ceramic and bronze sculptures, lithographs, illustrated books, socially oriented posters, stained glass windows, and murals.