12 - JEAN PROUVÉ (Paris, 1901 – Nancy, 1984) for Tecta.

JEAN PROUVÉ (Paris, 1901 – Nancy, 1984) for Tecta. “Grand Repos D80” reclining armchair. Designed in 1930, produced in the 1980s. Steel frame and cognac-colored leather upholstery. Reclining mechanism and casters on the front legs. Includes a black-upholstered headrest cushion. In good condition, with signs of wear consistent with its age. Measurements: 92 x 63 x 110 cm. The “Grand Repos” model is one of Jean Prouvé’s most innovative designs in the field of lounge furniture, reflecting his early experimentation with metal structures and articulated mechanisms. Conceived around 1930 and presented at the first exhibition of the Union des Artistes Modernes, it was revived and developed by the German firm Tecta during the 1980s, in collaboration with the designer himself. The armchair stands out for its steel frame, with curved side profiles that incorporate an adjustable reclining mechanism, allowing the position of the seat and backrest to adapt to the user’s movements. The leather upholstery in an unusual cognac shade adds warmth to its industrial aesthetic, while the front casters and visible metal details underscore its functional character. Jean Prouvé was one of the great innovators in 20th-century design and architecture. Trained as an artistic blacksmith, he founded his own workshops in Nancy and developed a design language based on constructive rationality, industrial production, and the effective use of materials’ properties. A co-founder of the Union des Artistes Modernes in 1929, he also served as chairman of the jury for the competition to design the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 1971. His work is held in institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nancy, which houses a significant collection dedicated to the designer.