Joseph-André Motte

Joseph-André Motte
Born(1925-01-06)6 January 1925
Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, France
Died1 June 2013(2013-06-01) (aged 88)
Paris, France
EducationÉcole nationale supérieure des arts appliqués et des métiers d'art
Known forFurniture Design; Interior Design
Awards
  • Silver medal Triennale di Milano,
  • 1st prize, Concours National du Centre Technique du Bois (1956),
  • Award René Gabriel (1957),
  • Grand Prix Brussels World's Fair Expo 58 (1958),
  • 1st Prize Concours des Glaces de Boussois (1960),
  • 1st Prize Mazda, Formica, Surnyl Contest (1960/1964),
  • Silver medal, Médaille d'Or, Médaille d'Honneur de la Société d'Encouragement à l'Art et à l'Industrie (1957,1958, 1965),
  • French Academy of Architecture award (1982),
  • Commander 'Ordre des Arts et Lettres' (1990)

Joseph-André Motte (6 January 1925 – 1 June 2013) was a French furniture and interior designer. He ranks among the most influential and innovative figures in post-war French design.[1]

Early life

Born in Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, Hautes-Alpes, Motte studied at the École nationale supérieure des arts appliqués et des métiers d'art in Paris. He graduated in 1948 at the top of his class.

Furniture design

After World War II, designers embraced new materials such as Formica, plywood, aluminum, and steel for mass-produced furniture. Manufacturers sponsored salons of the Société des artistes décorateurs, where Motte, alongside Pierre Guariche, René-Jean Caillette, Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Antoine Philippon, and Jacqueline Lecoq, showcased experimental work.[2] Motte began designing furniture at Bon Marché, a prominent Parisian department store, and collaborated with Marcel Gascoin’s workshop. In 1954, he founded his own agency and co-established the Atelier de Recherche Plastique (Studio for Plastic Research) with Michel Mortier and Pierre Guariche. His designs modernized French homes by blending traditional materials like rattan with modern ones, including foam, plastic, Formica, plywood, stainless steel, and glass, combining contemporary forms with conventional techniques. His notable chairs include the Tripod Chair (1949),[3] Catherine Chair (1952), Sabre Chair (1954), 740 Chair (1957), and 770 Chair (1958). He also designed office furniture, tables, lights, and sanitary and heating facilities.[4][5]

Motte and Paul Andreu created the 1970s “Motte-Andreu style” shell seating for the Paris Métro, used from 1974 to 1984.[6] He exhibited at events such as the Salon des artistes décorateurs, Salon des arts ménagers, and Brussels Expo '58.

Interior design

Beginning in the 1960s, Motte focused on interior design, leading major public projects for the French government, including:

He also designed interiors abroad, including the presidential palace in Bamako and hotels in Algeria, Tunisia, Congo, and Mali.

Recognition

See also

References

  1. ^ "Joseph-André MOTTE – French designer '50s". Fiftease.com. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Les Salon des Artistes Décorateurs". Demisch Danant. 20 October 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Tripode fauteuil (Tripod armchair)". SFMOMA. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Joseph-André Motte – Designer – L'ArcoBaleno". Larcobaleno.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Exhibition: Joseph André Motte: The Art of Living". Daily Icon. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  6. ^ "History behind Paris metro seats". www.ratp.fr. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  • Media related to Joseph-André Motte at Wikimedia Commons
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