Jean Prouvé

Jean Prouvé (1901-1984)

Born to an artist Father and pianist Mother, Jean Prouvé grew up surrounded by the ideals and energy of the influential art collective l'École de Nancy. Heavily influenced by his Father’s involvement with the group, its objectives to make art readily accessible and to forge links between art and industry are all visible within the Frenchman’s works.

Prouvé began adulthood as a metal worker, receiving an apprenticeship within his hometown of Nancy immediately after leaving school. His incredible talents as an architect and furniture designer were all self-taught, inspired by his youth and knowledge of raw materials.

Equally as famed for his industrial and structural design, Prouvé’s furniture is amongst the most sought after of his generation. Celebrated worldwide for the striking shapes used in his pieces, permanent galleries devoted to Prouvé’s work have been installed at the Musée des beaux-arts and Musée de l’Histoire du Fer in Nancy.