Jacques Adnet

Jacques Adnet was a distinguished French furniture designer born on April 20, 1900, in Châtillon-Coligny, France. He studied architecture under Charles Louis Genuys at the École des Arts Décoratifs, honing his understanding of form. Known for his mirrors, lamps, chairs, and tables, Adnet's work was marked by clean lines and simple forms characteristic of the unadorned Art Deco style. From 1923 until 1928, he collaborated with his twin brother, Jean Adnet, under the moniker Jean & Jacques Adnet, exhibiting their work at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925. After establishing himself as the director of La Compagnie des Arts Français until its closure in 1959, he collaborated with notable figures like Charlotte Perriand and sought to create functional yet beautiful designs that transcended traditional Art Deco.

Throughout his career, Adnet emphasized modernism and innovative material use, integrating metal and glass in ways that revolutionized furniture design. His commissions included the private quarters for President Vincent Auriol at the Palais de l'Élysée and the meeting room at UNESCO’s headquarters. In the late 1940s, he developed a line of iconic leather-upholstered furniture for Hermès. Adnet passed away on October 29, 1984, in Paris, France, leaving behind a legacy that bridged the stylized decadence of French Art Deco and the more subdued tones of modern design. His distinct use of luxurious materials and elegant shapes continues to influence designers and appeal to collectors, marking him as a significant figure in 20th-century design.