258 - Jean CLOUTIER (1930–2015) and Robert CLOUTIER (1930–2008)

Jean CLOUTIER (1930–2015) and Robert CLOUTIER (1930–2008) Harpist Sculpture in black-glazed earthenware and metal Signed "CLOUTIER RJ" Circa 1959 H: 82 cm / W: 30 cm / D: 15 cm Bibliography: Patrick Favardin, *Les Frères Cloutier Céramistes et Sculpteurs*, Norma Editions, Paris, 2014; a similar piece is reproduced on page 56. The works of Robert Cloutier (1930–2008) and Jean Cloutier (1930–2015) occupy a unique place in the landscape of French ceramics from the second half of the 20th century. As twin brothers, united by a shared sensibility and a fertile imagination, they spent more than fifty years creating a body of work in collaboration—one that is instantly recognizable. Born in Paris in 1930, they trained at the Meaux School of Ceramics before refining their craft in several Parisian studios. This rigorous training led them to collaborate with leading figures in modern ceramics—formative experiences that honed their technical mastery and enriched their formal vocabulary. In 1955, they founded their own studio in Paris. There, they developed a body of work that was both functional and sculptural: tableware, vases, lamps, ashtrays, pots, and decorative objects became the medium for a rich imagination. Very quickly, their pieces stood out for their stylized figures—hieratic faces, embracing couples, children, and real or fantastical animals. Bulls, roosters, owls, and ibexes appeared alongside mermaids and hybrid creatures in a world steeped in mythology and poetry. The recurring lyre motif reflects their attachment to the theme of music. The influence of masters such as Georges Jouve and Marie Vassilieff is evident in the precision of the forms and the intensity of the glazes, but the Cloutier brothers quickly established a personal style that is both dreamlike and structured. They explored various materials—glazed earthenware, porcelain, stoneware, terracotta, and plaster—and often favored bold color harmonies, playing with one or two powerful colors. Among their most iconic creations is the famous “Rouge Cloutier,” a deep, vibrant glaze that has played a major role in their international renown. Beginning in the 1960s, their experiments with firing techniques further enriched the depth and texture of their surfaces. Their success took hold as early as 1956 at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, then at the Salon des Métiers d’Art, and within the Ateliers d’Art de France. Leading Parisian galleries showcased their creations, while prestigious collaborations emerged, notably with the Haviland porcelain manufacturer, for which they designed exclusive pieces. Their influence extended as far as Japan, where the Mitsukoshi department store commissioned several series from them and invited them to Tokyo in 1970. At the same time, they worked on interior design projects, creating wall decorations, openwork screens, glazed tiles, and built-in furniture for major Parisian institutions and companies, thereby affirming the monumental scale of their art. After settling in the Yonne region in 1972 and then in the south of France in 1978, they pursued an ever-freer creative vision, showcased notably in their shop in Lunel. Robert’s death in 2008, followed by Jean’s in 2015, marked the end of an exceptional artistic dialogue. Their legacy remains that of a unique world, populated by dreamy figures and powerful sculptural forms. At the intersection of decorative art and sculpture, the Cloutier brothers’ work brilliantly embodies the postwar revival of French ceramics and remains highly sought after today by collectors and discerning art lovers.