Jean Fouquet (1899 – 1984) was a French jewellery designer. He was active in Paris and was the son of Georges Fouquet.
Biography
In 1919, he joined as a designer in the family firm, 6 rue Royale, Paris; he was a friend of Louis Aragon and Paul Eluard. Between 1920—25, he collaborated on Le Corbusier’s and Amédée Ozenfant’s review L’Esprit Nouveau: Revue International d’Esthétique. In his jewellery, he developed a liking for abstract compositions. From 1931, his jewellery designs were characterized by pure and simple geometry. In 1929, abandoning the Société des Artistes Décorateurs, he became a founding member of UAM (Union des Artistes Modernes).
After the family business closed in 1936, he worked on private, unique commissions. Between 1952—55 he collaborated with enamelist Gaston Richet. They produced a series of translucent enamel works. In 1952, he organized a series of conferences, Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs, Paris; was active until 1960.
Exhibitions
His work was first shown alongside other Fouquet designers at 1925 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes.’ Work first shown under his own name at 1926 and 1928 Salons of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs. Work shown at all exhibitions of UAM, including the 1949—50 (I) ‘Formes Utiles’ exhibition, Pavillon de Marsan, Paris, where he was responsible for the silver-clock section. At 1937 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne’. From 1950, at ‘Métiers d’Art: Le foyer d’aujourd’hui’ section, Salon des Arts Ménagers. 1956 (I) Triennale d’Art francais Contemporain, Pavillon de Marsan, Paris; 1958 ‘Exposition Universelle et Internation- ale de Bruxelles (Expo “58).’ He organized the 1951 ‘Prévues’ exhibition, Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, Paris, aiming to show the finest jewelry that relied on high-quality materials. Fouquet family work subject of 1983 exhibition, Paris Musée des Arts Deécoratifs.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.
Additional Reading
Bliss, S. (2018). Jewellery in the Age of Modernism 1918-1940: Adornment and Beyond. Bloomsbury Publishing. https://amzn.to/3rhGSlj
Campbell, G. (2006). The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts: Two-volume Set. Oxford University Press, USA. https://amzn.to/3E4YunY
Goss, J. (2014). French Art Deco. Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://bit.ly/3rjSKDs
Knowles, E. (2014). Art Deco. Bloomsbury Publishing. https://amzn.to/311OmhT
Miller, J. (2014). Miller’s Field Guide: Art Deco. Octopus. https://amzn.to/3cVsVRV
Mouillefarine, L., Possémé, E., décoratifs, M. d. a., Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, D., & Culture. (2009). Art Deco Jewelry: Modernist Masterworks and Their Makers. Thames & Hudson. https://amzn.to/3d03E9c
Cera, D. F. (2019). Adorning Fashion: The History of Costume Jewellery to Modern Times. ACC Art Books. https://amzn.to/3D00CMI
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