Joseph Bolegard studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. He immigrated to the United States, settling for a time in Chicago, where he worked as an illustrator known for magazine covers and advertisements. He later moved to Paris and was active with a young group of painters of his age. As a friend of Soutine, he had success at the Salon d'Automne with his Mediterranean landscapes, still life's and portraits. He also exhibited in New York at the Alma Reed Galleries in 1941.
The September 17, 1921 issue of the "National Journal of Modern Merchandising" advertising and selling volume 30, issue 10, excerpt as follows: (At 32 years old), Joseph Bolegard of the William H. Rankin company sailed on the SS "Adriatic" around November 30 for Paris. From there he will go to Italy, England, Switzerland and Belgium and will take up his permanent residence in Paris around January 1. He will be acting as the representative of the William H. Rankin Company in that city, in association with the Charles F. Higganum, London. Mr. Bolegard will report in detail on the advertising and trade conditions as they exist in each country and city he visits, and will be in constant touch with the foreign trade department of the William H. Rankin Company of New York.
