André Monpoix (1925-1976) Large Cabinet Secretary Library

Important 1960-70 piece of furniture with support height in exotic wood veneer forming a secretary-library (bearing the plaque of the artist and the publisher inside) The front opens with a large flap veneered in white melamine revealing a compartmentalized interior decorated with a column in white lacquered wood opening with drawers, the lower part is perforated with storage shelves (missing). Good condition. Dimensions: 1 m 34 long X 1 m 23 high X 34 cm deep. French designer and interior architect, André Monpoix (1925–1976) belonged to the young generation of decorators of the 1950s. Grandson of a cabinetmaker and son of merchants living in Paris, André Monpoix displayed early abilities for drawing. He was taught by René Gabriel, Maxime Old and Jacques Dumond at the National School of Decorative Arts, he graduated in 1949 (from the same promotion as André Simard, Pierre Guariche and Alain Richard) he was immediately hired by Jacques Dumond who introduced him to the profession for four years. His first creations were exhibited at the Salon des arts householders in 1951 and met with great success with the public, in 1953 he opened his design office on rue Tournon in the 6th arrondissement of Paris above his wife's boutique workshop, Geneviève Dupeux, fabric designer. Then began a long collaboration with his favorite publisher TV where he joined his friend Alain Meubles Richard. Exclusive creators of the brand from 1955, the two young designers create resolutely contemporary furniture by designing pieces with clean lines, meticulous finishes and produced in small quantities. His regular participation in the Foyer d'hui du SAM and the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs allows him to promote his conception of modern furniture with sober and presented lines. At SAM 1954, he presented a fireside chair with a metal structure stretched with white plastic isosheath yarn which was also exhibited at the 1st – and only – Triennial of Contemporary French Art in 1956. Manufactured by TV, this publishing house Founded Furniture by Robert Vecchione will publish most of his creations. André Monpoix's style is very modern in this period of reconstruction and will influence many designers. The mastery of his creations was rewarded in 1962 with the René Gabriel prize. In 1963, he joined forces with Pierre Paulin and Jeanne Couturier for the design and production of the first Biennial of Light at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. André Monpoix developed a clientele of private individuals for whom he fitted out interiors and took part in certain projects, such as in 1967 when he co-signed with Alain Richard a telephone booth in red abs on a metal base intended for the Maison de la Culture in Grenoble. The designer is also at the origin of many interior decoration projects. In collaboration with Joseph-André Motte and Pierre Paulin, he is in charge of the new layouts of the rooms of the Louvre Museum. Under the leadership of the administrator of the Mobilier national Jean Coural and Michel Laclotte, then director of the painting department, the trio will take charge of all the museography; interior architecture, choice of colors and lighting, creation of display cases and selection of works. For four years, they worked on fitting out the Grande Galerie, the Salon Carrée and the Pavillon de Flore. the decoration in Briare enamels of the Auber RER station or the development of a presidential car for the SNCF, the PR3. In 1971, he carried out the layout of the new buildings of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Paris and joined forces with Pierre Paulin for the layout of the coach of the Queen of England during her visit to Paris in 1972. His work is associated with a rigor of design and an innate sense of proportion.