René Gabriel Lounge Chair in Green Linen Pierre Frey Fabric and Wood

Attributed to Rene Gabriel, lounge chair, stained beech, linen fabric "Arsene" by Pierre Frey, France, circa 1945

This armchair is attributed to the French artist René Gabriel, known for his reconstructivist approach to furniture design. A comparable model was presented at the ’Salon des Artistes Décorateurs' in 1945, a prominent association of emerging French furniture designers. The design exudes a refined rustic charm. This is showcased through the wooden frame, characterized by its clean, sharp horizontal and vertical lines. The gently angled backrest, composed of evenly spaced slats, paired with the tapered legs, encapsulates the essence of this thoughtfully crafted design. The lounge chair is an elegant, well-proportioned piece with a minimalist design. The cushions are reupholstered in "Arsene" Emeraude by Pierre Frey, featuring a blend of green with subtle white threads.

A frontrunner of French design, René Gabriel (1899-1950) started his career as an interior decorator during the interbellum in France. His extensive career is well documented, due to the discovery of thousands of drawings, kept at l’École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs where he taught his students. It ensures that nowadays we are able to understand the wide versatility in his designs and thoughts on furniture, architecture and interior. Gabriel was a designer with a very broad interest in creating everyday objects such as furniture, wallpaper, textile designs, architecture, illustration, and advertising.

Gabriel is known to be a socially concerned designer as well. He was a keen believer in creating great furniture that was to be accessible for everyone. He vowed that he would devote himself strictly to "the creation and distribution of furniture and equipment capable of bringing comfort and joy to those who are not privileged in fortune". It made sure he became very involved in the production process of his furniture and choices in joints and wood types. This chair represents his democratic ideas in optima forma. With this modest yet modern and clean design and his choice for solid beech, Gabriel design shows a rationalist and modern approach to furniture design. The chair, stripped of all unnecessary decoration clearly shows that Gabriel was an avant-garde and forward-thinking designer of the 1930s. The French decorative arts magazine 'Arts et Décoration' showed his designs in the December issue of 1934.