René Gabriel (1890 – 1950) was a French Interior Designer.
Biography
Initially, Gabriel, who was a dedicated follower of Francis Jourdain, focused on diverse crafts. He made wallpaper, fabric, rugs, and porcelain, particularly for the Manufacture de Sèvres. For instance, he crafted designs in 1927 specifically for Louis Jouvet’s production of Leopold le Bien-Aimé. Collaboratively, Kurtz produced some of the furniture he designed. Starting from 1923, his limited-edition furniture underwent a transformation and became exceedingly simple.
Then, in 1935, he ventured into creating what became known as Éléments RG. This particular line consisted of various elements that could be assembled in a multitude of ways. Subsequently, he shifted his attention to designing bent-metal tubular seating and structures.
Business Endeavors
In terms of business, he made his first mark in 1920 when he opened a quaint wallpaper store named Au Sansonnet, situated on rue de Solférino in Paris. There, he also exercised his creative skills by designing wallpaper for Papiers Peints de France et Nobilis. Later, in 1934, he expanded his ventures and opened Ateliers d’Art in Neuilly. By 1947, he ascended to the role of president of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs.
Ongoing Influence
Not only did he continue to craft a modest amount of furniture in the style reminiscent of Francis Jourdain, but he also served as an educator. Specifically, he taught at the Ecole des Arts Appliqués in Paris. Additionally, from 1946 onward, he took on the role of director at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In this capacity, he was instrumental in establishing the René Gabriel Prize.
Exhibitions
As for exhibitions, his work began to gain recognition as early as 1919 when it was featured at the Salon d’Automne and the Salons of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs. Notably, his design for a girl’s bedroom, complemented by a rug from Gaudissart and lighting by Jean Perzel, was showcased at the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. He also made a significant contribution to the pavilion of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs during the 1937 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne.’
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL
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