Somm embarked on his artistic journey at the 'École Municipale de Dessin' in Rouen. In the 1860s, he made his way to Paris, where he honed his graphic skills under the tutelage of Isodore Pils and Henri Bravière. His talents blossomed, and soon he was selling caricatures and whimsical illustrations to prestigious newspapers and magazines such as 'Charge,' 'Cravache,' 'L'Inutile,' 'Gazette Parisienne,' and 'Courier Français.' Additionally, he lent his creative touch to menus, postcards, calendars, and various other projects. Notably, Somm also slows down his artistic vision to designs for the Haviland porcelain factory, under the artistic direction of Félix Bracquemond.
As he matured as an artist, Somm extended his repertoire, trying his hand at painting. In 1879, he boldly showcased three of his works at the fourth major Impressionist exhibition. His art predominantly adopted an impressionistic style, often employing watercolors. Yet, he couldn't resist the allure of Japanese art, which was in vogue in Paris at the time. In 1890, he crossed paths with Toulouse-Lautrec, who found his depictions of everyday life deeply captivating.
In his later works, Somm's oeuvre is often associated with the transition from Impressionism to Symbolism, showing the evolution of his artistic expression. In addition to his visual artistry, Somm also ventured into the world of editorial contributions, leaving an indelible mark on publications like 'Le Chat Noir' and 'Le Rire.'
