The Work of Robert Louis

Louis worked as an heraldic artist in an official capacity in France during the period stretching roughly from 1940 to 1960. He specialised in devising and painting the arms of the provinces, départements and towns of France.

This map of France, from his Livre d'Or, shows the arms of the préfectures of the ninety départements.

In a series of postage stamps, produced from 1942 onwards, he depicted the arms of many towns and provinces.

His work was commisioned by several départements to devise communal arms, and in 1952 he created arms for each of the départements, some of which are still used, although fashion has decreed that the display of arms is not often acceptable, the all pervading logo taking their place.

The arms of the départements are placed at the head of the chapters in The Civic Heraldry of France. The arms shown in the link icon are those of Abbeville, Somme, designed by Louis.

Starting with Chapter 1 in The Civic Heraldry of France I shall gradually introduce the arms of communes which have been painted by Louis, and of which I have examples.

After the death of Robert Louis, his daughter Mireille Louis, continued his work in the same style. In particular, she painted the arms of the cantons for the département of the Somme in the région of Picardie.