Jacques Adnet
(1900 – 1984)
Jacques Adnet was born in 1900 in Châtillon-Coligny, France. He graduated from the École des Arts Décoratifs of Paris and started his career alongside Maurice Dufrène and Tony Selmersheim.
He later worked with his twin brother Jean before becoming director of the « Compagnie des Arts français » in 1928.
The company was founded in 1919 by Süe and Mare. It was very traditional, but Adnet modernised it with the help of many artists and decorators such as Raoul Dufy, Fernand Léger, Marc Chagall, Francis Jourdain, Charlotte Perriand and René Gabriel.
He remained director until 1959, when the firm closed.
During the 30s, Adnet started to work with glass and metal. He designed a lot of pieces of furniture and accessories: side tables, coat racks, chairs, desks, …
Adnet is also particularly well-known for his metal creations covered with leather. In 1950, prestigious Hermès house hired him to design a gorgeous mirror embellished with leather belts.
Adnet passed away in 1984 in Paris. His designs remain very modern and are known for their comfort and elegance.
“Adnet is among the first to expect metal and glass to incorporate with the structure and decoration of furniture, where they will complement the ample space and bare surfaces created by the reinforced concrete and by their sparkle — the effects of electricity.”