Saturday, September 11, 2010

Jean-Michel Frank

Jean-Michel Frank was one of the most influential designers and decorators of Paris in the 1930's and 40's.  He's best known for his spare interiors and his use of  luxurious materials such as vellum, bleached leather, lacquer, straw marquetry, malachite and shagreen.   Today Frank is best remembered for his furniture designs.  His parson tables and blocky rectangular club chairs and sofas have been endlessly copied.  Last year there was a major exhibition of Frank's work in Paris at the Fondation Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Larent.   Rizzoli also recently published a book on his work and life entitled Jean-Michel Frank: The Strange and Subtle Luxury of  the Parisian Haute-Monde in the Art Deco Period.  It's an amazing book and even if it weren't, I will read anything with Strange, Parisian, Haute-Monde or Art Deco in the title.  

Sadly, personal demons took their toll and in 1941 at the age of 46,  he committed suicide by throwing himself from the window of a Manhattan apartment building.  



Portrait of the Designer


Cole Porter's Music Room


Blonde Dressing Table


Straw Marquetry Fire Screen & Parchment Cabinet 

1 comment:

  1. i nead the furneture catalog of jean michel frank. can you help me?
    thanks
    julia

    ReplyDelete