36 - Charles SPINDLER (1865–1938)

Charles SPINDLER (1865–1938) Art Nouveau folding screen made of carved natural wood and burgundy-colored embossed cardboard with an Art Nouveau motif; the central panel is adorned with wood marquetry depicting a snowy winter landscape, signed “C. Spindler” in the lower right corner. Dimensions per panel (on the sides): H_179 cm W_55 cm Dimensions of the interior of the panels (on the sides): H_146 cm W_46.5 cm Dimensions of the central panel: H_202 cm W_70 cm Dimensions of the interior of the central panel: H_146 cm W_63 cm Dimensions of the marquetry: H_20 cm W_63 cm Signs of normal wear; some slight material loss on the cardboard backing of the panels; one hinge requires restoration. Charles Spindler was born in 1865 in Boersch, Alsace, into a family with a keen appreciation for the arts and culture. After completing part of his artistic training in Germany—notably in Düsseldorf, Munich, and Berlin—he returned to settle in his native region, where he set out to develop a particularly original body of work. A painter, draftsman, photographer, and interior designer, he explored various forms of expression before finding in marquetry his preferred medium for creation. He profoundly reinvented its uses, transforming this traditional technique into a true art of composition through decorative panels and furniture inspired by nature, landscapes, and Alsatian heritage. Charles Spindler played a pivotal role in the flourishing of Art Nouveau in Alsace. His work is characterized by an original synthesis of modern decorative trends and regional cultural references. In this way, he developed a unique artistic language in which plant motifs, scenes of Alsatian life, and historical references take center stage. His creations quickly achieved success that extended beyond the region and helped raise the profile of Alsatian decorative arts at major international events. Beyond his own work, Spindler played a decisive role in shaping and energizing Alsatian artistic life. Endowed with a truly unifying spirit, he gathered painters, sculptors, architects, writers, and artisans around him, fostering exchanges between the various disciplines. In particular, he contributed to the rise of the Saint-Léonard Circle, which became one of the region’s main hubs of artistic creation around 1900. Alongside figures such as Lothar von Seebach, Léon Hornecker, Gustave Stoskopf, and Alfred Marzolff, he helped foster the emergence of a true Alsatian artistic community. His commitment also extended to the publishing world, where he worked to promote and gain recognition for regional artistic creation, notably through the *Revue alsacienne illustrée*. Through his influence, his network, and his ability to bring together talented individuals, Charles Spindler gradually established himself as one of the leading figures in the Alsatian art scene. As a creator, promoter, and cultural organizer, he made a lasting contribution to giving regional art its own distinct identity, reconciling European modernity with a deep attachment to Alsatian traditions. Selected Bibliography: Michel Loetscher and Jean-Charles Spindler, *Spindler: A Century of Art in Alsace*, Éditions La Nuée Bleue, 2005. Charles Spindler, Alphonse Troestler, and Michel Loetscher, *The Golden Age of an Artist in Alsace: Unpublished Memoirs, 1889–1914*, Éditions Place Stanislas, 2009. Charles Spindler: A Body of Work That Shaped Alsatian Identity, exhibition catalog published by the Bas-Rhin General Council, 2011. Camille Schneider, *Charles Spindler*, Ringier magazine publication, 1955. Selected Filmography: Fanny Spindler, *Spindler: Art as a Legacy*, produced by Seppia in 2025, broadcast by France 3 Grand Est. Yannis and Alexis Metzinger, *The Invention of Alsace*, a documentary trilogy produced by Cerigo Films and France Télévision, 2012.