"I had come to Paris . . . to learn and earn my bread."
Arriving from Turin Juglaris had only 270 lire in his pocket to finance his Paris stay. But thanks to the help of the Milanese artist Enrico (Henri) Robecchi, who was already well-known in Paris, he was able to secure almost immediate work painting theater scenery. Juglaris was elated: despite the city’s lingering chaos, demoralized spirit, and depressed economy, his skills were in demand. The jobs he obtained also paid better than what he could earn in Turin. Happily, more reliable work was soon forthcoming. With guidance and assistance from another Italian compatriot, Giuseppe Devers, who was soon to be appointed to the faculty of the Accademia Albertina back in Turin, Juglaris took up ceramics design with a French factory. In this new field of “industrial” or applied art, he had an opportunity to work with the renowned ceramicist Theodore Deck, famous for his faience glazes. Showing talent beyond art alone, Juglaris was subsequently promoted to factory manager, supervising all aspects of ceramics production.
Two years later, in 1872, an economic downturn across France shuttered the ceramics factory. Yet Juglaris stood undaunted and resilient. Equipped by his experience in Turin, he understood the importance of maintaining flexibility as an artist. Surviving in Paris meant straddling multiple artistic realms and juggling as many jobs as possible so there was always something to fall back on.