128 - Marc DU PLANTIER (1901–1975)

Marc DU PLANTIER (1901–1975) Table lamp, known as the “Pirogue” model, made of patinated plaster Monogrammed “MP” on the base Model created in 1939 H: 10 cm / W: 51.5 cm / D: 18 cm Bibliography: Yves Badetz, “Marc Du Plantier,” Norma Editions, Paris, 2010; a similar model is reproduced on page 157. Marc du Plantier (1901–1975) Born in 1901 in Madagascar, Marc du Plantier was a unique figure in 20th-century French interior design. His career, marked by a wide variety of influences, revealed an artistic curiosity from an early age that would lead him toward architecture, furniture design, and interior design. Initially drawn to the sciences, he began studying mathematics and prepared for the entrance exam to the École Polytechnique. He ultimately chose a more artistic path and, in 1922, enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied architecture under Gabriel Héraud. At the same time, he honed his artistic sensibility at the Académie Julian, under the tutelage of Paul Albert Laurens. His early professional experiences took place in the worlds of fashion and the performing arts. In particular, he worked for the fashion houses Jenny and Jacques Doucet, while also developing an interest in theater set design. These early years nurtured his appreciation for materials, forms, and staging, which would become the foundations of his decorative style. In 1928, he decided to devote himself to interior design and furniture design. In 1932, he unveiled his first works to the public and furnished his own apartment on Boulevard Suchet in Paris. The reception he hosted there attracted Paris’s artistic and intellectual circles. Among his close friends was the sculptor Joseph Csaky, whose works found a place in his interiors. This initial recognition revealed a designer who was already well-established, capable of conceiving spaces where architecture, furniture, sculpture, and objects interacted harmoniously. His reputation grew rapidly. His aesthetic—refined, theatrical, and daring—earned him the admiration of a discerning clientele. In 1936, having settled in Boulogne-Billancourt, he participated in the “Formes d’architecture” exhibition at the Art & Industrie gallery, alongside several leading figures in contemporary design. In 1939, he presented a bedroom at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, thereby cementing his place in the French decorative arts scene. World War II led him to settle in Spain. He stayed there for nearly ten years and worked, in particular, on the interior design of the home of the Count and Countess of Elda in Madrid. This period marked a pivotal stage in his artistic development. His decorative vocabulary expanded, his taste for classical references became more pronounced, and his creations took on a greater sense of grandeur. Upon his return to Paris in 1949, he re-engaged with the major events in the world of interior design and continued his exploration of furniture with elegant, structured lines. In 1961, a new adventure took him to Mexico, following his meeting with Countess Florence de Montferrier. There, he founded Artedécor and, in 1962, opened a gallery dedicated in particular to his wrought-iron light fixtures, created in collaboration with exceptional artisans. This experience allowed him to explore new creative possibilities and develop a body of work in which metalwork played a central role. In 1964, he continued his journey in Los Angeles, where his creations were exhibited at the Design Center before he opened his own gallery on La Cienega Boulevard. This period in the United States marked a shift toward more refined and sculptural forms, while retaining the sophistication that characterized his work. Returning permanently to France in 1966, Marc du Plantier continued to create until his death in 1975. His work is distinguished by a constant quest for balance between classical heritage and modernity. Gilded bronze, wrought iron, marble, precious woods, and parchment come together to form a world in which each material is showcased with the utmost precision. Going far beyond simple furniture, he conceived true decorative ensembles in which each element contributes to an overarching vision of the space. Today, Marc du Plantier remains a major figure in 20th-century decorative arts. His work, highly sought after by collectors, embodies a refined conception of French elegance, where architectural rigor meets the freedom of the imagination.