Jean Prouvé

Jean Prouvé (1901–1984) is an essential figure in 20th-century design and architecture. Trained as an apprentice metalworker under Émile Robert in Enghien and later with Szabo in Paris, he continued his studies at the École Supérieure de Nancy, where he developed a passion for materials and construction. Beginning in 1923, he distinguished himself as a builder-designer with work that combined functionality, utility, and beauty, emphasizing an aesthetic born from necessity.

In 1930, Prouvé co-founded the Union des Artistes Modernes (U.A.M.), a movement advocating for innovative approaches to design. The following year, he opened Les Ateliers Jean Prouvé, where he created numerous pieces of furniture and architectural components. He became one of the pioneers of functional and prefabricated furniture, promoting serial production that respected material efficiency.

Among his most iconic creations are the Antony chair (1954), renowned for its innovative structure and dynamic form, as well as the Potence pivoting wall lamp (1950), designed for the Maison Tropique—an exemplary expression of his purist and minimalist style.

Jean Prouvé left a lasting legacy marked by deep attention to materials and functionality. His creations continue to fascinate and inspire, notably through the reissue of several pieces by brands such as Vitra. Prouvé is recognized not only for his furniture but also for his pioneering vision of architecture and industrial design.