George Jouve
Georges Jouve was born in 1910 in Fontenay-sous-Bois, into a family of passionate decorators, who encouraged his artistic inclinations from an early age. At the age of 17, he made the bold choice to join the emblematic École Boulle, where he immersed himself in the history of art and trained in sculpture, acquiring the nickname of Apollon in the process, a name that was to mark his destiny. After graduating in 1929, he pursued his artistic quest at several free painting academies, including the prestigious Jullian and the Grande Chaumière, refining his vision even further.
After starting his career as a theatre decorator, war struck. Mobilised and taken prisoner, he escaped in 1943 and found refuge in the south, where his Mediterranean roots were reawakened. It was in Dieulefit, in the Drôme, that he discovered ceramics, an art that was to transform his career. Working alongside ceramist Étienne Noël, he learned to make decorative objects and religious figurines inspired by Santons.
Back in Paris in 1944, Jouve moved to rue de la Tombe-Issoire and transformed his studio into a veritable creative laboratory. It was then that he abandoned traditional pottery to embrace a revolutionary approach: away from the wheel, he modelled his works by hand, inventing abstract sculptures of incredible evocative power, where each volume and each colour expresses a new energy. His matte black, deep and sensual, dresses minimalist forms that become vibrant and fascinating works. He quickly made a name for himself, exhibiting in the biggest galleries and becoming a key figure at the Salons de l'Imagerie and des Artistes Décorateurs.
In the 1950s, his radically modern vision and unique style enabled him to work with renowned designers such as Jacques Adnet and Mathieu Matégot. However, a sad discovery - lead poisoning - slowed his creative momentum. After a long convalescence in Burgundy, he settled in Pigonnet, near Aix-en-Provence, in 1954. There, his art was reinvented: his ceramics became purer, even bolder, with vibrant shades of yellow, prairie green, luminous orange, glossy black and creamy white. He became friends with members of the École d'Aix group, and his work took on a striking depth and purity.
In 1956, the Galerie Steph Simon, decorated by Charlotte Perriand, became the place where the artist would shine for almost two decades, in particular with his "Cylindre" vase, a masterpiece. His reputation continued to grow, and in 1959 he exhibited at Denise Majorel's La Demeure gallery.
After his death in March 1964, a major retrospective in his honour was organised in 1965, confirming his status as the undisputed master of modern ceramics.
A true virtuoso in the arts of fire, Georges Jouve has succeeded in combining beauty and utility in works where decoration becomes a form of pure poetry. This creative genius, renowned for his kindness and passion, remains one of the pillars of contemporary ceramics today.
