Jean Dunand

The Swiss-born Frenchman Jean Dunand (1877-1942), who ranks among the most versatile and prolific of Art Deco designers, is renowned for his unmistakable flair and the technical perfection of his metalwork and lacquer. This comprehensive book, which includes more than 1,000 black-and-white illustrations and 170 superb colorplates, examines Dunand's life and presents for the first time the complete spectrum of his work. "Jean Dunand, one of the foremost exponents of the French Art Deco stye, was known chiefly for his work in lacquered wood and metal. His prodigious output of furniture, screens, and decorative metal vessels culminated in a large commission for the decorative wall panels in the luxury liner Normandie in the 1930s. Marcilhac has produced an exhaustive biography and catalog of the accomplishments of Dunand and his sons, who worked with him until his death in 1942. The book is lavishly illustrated with large, spectacular color photographs and smaller, rather murky black-and-white photographs of the artist and his works. The text is mainly a chronological narrative of Dunand's professional life and is somewhat lacking in human interest. Recommended for art libraries." Review from Library Journal.