Raymond COGNIAT (1896-1977) was a journalist and a French art and theatre critic. He founded the Union of Professionals of the Artistic Press and the AICA (International Association of Art Critics) in 1948. He is also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the First International Congress of Art critics and president of the French section from 1949 to 1965. He is also the author of many books on Impressionism and Modern Art.