René-Jean Caillette

Designer, interior architect, engraver and painter, René-Jean Caillette, a multi-faceted man, is spotlighted by a retrospective exhibition organised by the gallery Pascal Cuisinier from the September 9^thto the October 22nd 2016. It is the opportunity to discover or rediscover the work of one of the most brilliant designers of the “Trente Glorieuses”.

René-Jean Caillette is the oldest French “first designers” but undoubtedly one of the most talented. In 1937, the young man, a brilliant student, is first of his class at the Ecole nationale supérieure des arts appliqués (Duperré). Just graduated, he makes his debut in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine then he starts to create serial models and becomes a pioneer of the French design. Versatile, he continues to develop his engraver’s talent until the end of his career. In 1990, he takes etching up again and some personal exhibitions are dedicated to him.

René-Jean Caillette is an active and dynamic founding member of the group Saint-Honoré created by his initiative in 1949, as well as the “Groupe 4” created with Charron in 1954. He also participates to the “Association des Créateurs de Mobilier en Série” (A.C.M.S) in 1953 to defend the rights of a nescent profession. 

Thanks to his participation to national fairs such as the “salon de la Société des artistes décorateurs”, the “Salon des Arts Ménagers” – or international events like Triennials of Milan, Universal Exhibitions – he gets the recognition of the public and his colleagues. In order to efficiently promote the dynamism of French post-war design, he collaborates with the best and cutting edge producers of this period: Airborne, Steiner (sittings), Disderot (lighting), Charron (furniture) and experiments some new materials available on the market such as plywood, stainless steel, rattan, perspex.

It is really important to him to share his knowledge and his experience so he is teaching at the Ecole nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (ENSAD) from 1954 to 1972, and at the Ecole supérieure des arts graphiques (ESAG Penninghen) from 1969 to 1981 where he joins all of his friends. 

Following René-Jean Caillette’s death in 2004, the whole of his creations, left to the association “les Petits Frères des Pauvres”, is scattered in 2006 by a tribute sale in Tajan’s auction house. The exhibition dedicated to René-Jean Caillette, organised by the gallery Pascal Cuisinier just ten years after, rediscovers his work and gives him what he deserves:  a place at the forefront in the French historic design’s landscape. The gallery Pascal Cuisinier presented during this exceptional exhibition a selection of rare and emblematic pieces as the iconic chair Diamant, the low table GC56 with a thick slab in Saint-Gobain’s glass, as well as a set of archives lent by French museums and the family.