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Price category: 20,000+ usd / eur

Francis Jourdain was known to be vocal about modern art and aesthetics, and he heavily criticized contemporary French design for its ostentatious luxury. His designs were straightforward in construction and less pompous in nature. This set is in line with his views, showing French tradition, while taking advantage of natural materials and clever construction.

French furniture and interior designers of the mid-century are known as masters of elegantly organic forms. As such, these chairs and footstools are characterised by clean lines and a free spirit. The design is focused on sinuous curves, especially on the contoured arms with a carefully sculpted and carved shape that runs down to form the legs as well. The straight lines of the seat and backrests are masterfully broken by this curvature. Furthermore, this set combines remarkable style with balance, functionality and premium materials. Rattan, used for everything from basket weaving to furniture making had found extensive use and appreciation in the context of modern 20th century design. Thanks to its unique characteristics, rattan adds an element of texture and lightness, contributing to the overall visual balance of the set. Not only do the materials complement each other, but the shades of brown, and textural variety go perfectly together, adding depth. Moreover, thanks to the outstanding ergonomics of the reclined backrests and use of footstools, the whole body of the sitter is supported.

Though many mid-century French designers may not have the name recognition as some of their Scandinavian counterparts, they were integral to developing a modern aesthetic in Europe. The appreciation for their contribution is still growing today making outstanding pieces like these lounge chairs and footstools highly sought after.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:

27.16 in W x 39.96 in D x 28.93 in H; Seat height 11.22 in; Seat depth 18.50 in; Arm height 21.85 in

69 cm W x 101.5 cm D x 73.5 cm H ; Seat height 28.5 cm ; Seat depth 47 cm ; Arm height 55.5 cm

About the designer:

Francis Jourdain was born on 2 November 1876, son of the architect Frantz Jourdain. His father was the founder of the Salon d'Automne collection. He benefited from the relationship of his parents with the era's famous intellectuals (Émile Zola, Alphonse Daudet) and artists (the circle of Alexandre Charpentier). Jourdain said of the society in which he grew up that it was dominated by people who were highly opinionated and quick to take sides.

Jourdain became a painter, and was a pioneer of the Art Nouveau style, in which he was distinguished as a decorator of the Villa Majorelle in Nancy. A stencilled panel by Jourdain with elegant, cleanly silhouetted images was shown at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. In 1911 Jourdain began to design furniture, following the teachings of Adolf Loos (1847–1933). He opened Les Ateliers Modernes in 1912, a small furniture factory. With his built-in furniture and storage systems he was able to make small areas appear spacious. He owned a furniture shop by 1919, Chez Francis Jourdain. Jourdain was a regular exhibitor from 1913 to 1928 at the Salon d'Automne and the Societé des Artistes Décorateurs, and published many articles on modern art and aesthetics in which he attacked the ostentatious luxury that was typical of contemporary French design. His own designs were simple, with straightforward construction.

He collaborated with Le Corbusier in 1920 in publishing a journal titled L'esprit nouveau, subsidized by the government. It advocated standardization and industrial production as an alternative to individual design, required to rebuild the shattered French society and economy of the years following World War I. Jourdain was a prolific writer on art in the period after World War II (1939–45). At the end of his life, Jourdain acted as president of the Secours populaire français. He died in Paris on 31 December 1958 at the age of 82. ~H.