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After studying at the École Municipale de Dessin in Rouen, François Clément Sommier settled in Paris in the late 1860’s, training briefly with Isidore Pils and adopting the name Henry Somm. It was under this name that he illustrated his first book, Alexandre Le Noble’s La Rapinéide ou L’Atelier, poème burlesco-comico-tragique en 7 chants, published in 1870. Somm was to enjoy a successful career as an illustrator and draughtsman, contributing regularly to such popular journals as Le Monde Parisien, Le Rire and L’Illustration Nouvelle, as well as providing illustrations for satirical books like Jacques Olivier’s Alphabet de l’imperfection et malice des femmes, published in 1876. Somm was also active as a graphic designer, providing menus, theatre programs, invitations and announcements for the many fashionable events of Belle Epoque Paris.
