Roger Capron (1922-2006) Important Oblong Vase 70's

Large ceramic 1970 stamped -Roger Capron in Vallauris- depicting a large oblong vase in chamotte and glazed earthenware called gingerbread color animated by an incised decoration representing a character with a cubist female figure, model listed entitled "Femme" Presumed work of a collaboration between the Capron workshop and the artist Jean Derval, traditionally coming from a commission for the decoration of the Byblos hotel and La Pinède in Saint-Tropez. Very good condition, dimensions: 31.5 cm high X 23 cm wide X 11 cm.

The French ceramist Roger Capron was born in Vincennes in 1922. He studied at the École des arts appliqués in Paris from which he graduated in 1943 and worked for a time as a teacher. In 1946, Roger Capron moved to Vallauris in the south of France and founded the ceramics workshop "Atelier Callis" with ceramists Robert Picault (1919-2000) and Jean Derval (1925-2010). Located along the French Riviera, the town of Vallauris is known for its pottery production dating back to the Roman era. During the post-war period, the town experienced a renaissance of this craft, as many artists (such as Picasso) arrived here to work with ancient materials and techniques. Atelier Callis began producing small household objects, deliberately modest and designed for everyday use. The wind of popularity then sweeping French ceramics gave Roger Capron the opportunity to expand his business. In 1952, he separated from Robert Picault and Jean Derval and opened his own small factory, Atelier Capron, which employed around fifty workers. A few years later, Roger Capron's reputation grew internationally, with his pieces appearing on the shelves of department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Gimbels. By 1980, his factory employed around 120 people and specialized in the tiled coffee tables for which Roger Capron is now renowned. His success kept imitators at bay, and in 1982, the factory was forced to close due to the competitiveness of mass-produced, inexpensive tiles. Like Picasso, Roger Capron's design aesthetic was constantly evolving, as he worked in various styles from the 1950s onward. Early in his career, Capron was a proponent of the Free Forms movement, characterized by wavy lines and expressionist motifs. From the 1960s onwards, he evolved towards a more controlled modernist style, with glossy varnishes and striking geometric patterns. But over time, Roger Capron's work, ranging from coffee and side tables to carafes and vases, was considered cliché in France and was forgotten. However, today, his pieces are once again appreciated by collectors around the world. Roger Capron received numerous awards during his career, including the gold medal at the Milan Triennale and Expo '58 in Brussels. In 2000, the New York Times wrote that Capron was "one of the most prolific and important architects of European design."