Jules-John Dunand (Born as Jules-John Dunand; Parents: Jean-Pierre and Marie Dunand; Children: Bernard Dunand, who continued his father’s craft) was a transformative figure in the Art Deco movement, revered as the greatest master of laque (lacquer) in the West. Originally trained as a sculptor and metalworker, Dunand achieved worldwide fame for his technical perfection, merging traditional Eastern lacquer techniques with sleek, modern European design.
Born in Switzerland, Dunand moved to Paris in 1900 to study sculpture. He initially made a name for himself as a master metalworker, creating intricate vases and copperware using the technique of “dinanderie” (hammered copper/brass). His career took a radical turn in 1912 when he met the renowned Japanese lacquer master Seizo Sugawara. Sugawara taught Dunand the complex, grueling process of applying layers of natural lacquer (urushi), a substance that requires immense patience, specific climate conditions, and high toxicity handling.
Dunand spent years perfecting this craft, ultimately creating a unique fusion of style. While traditional Japanese lacquer focused on subtle, naturalistic motifs, Dunand’s work embraced the bold, geometric, and luxurious aesthetic of Art Deco. His lacquered panels, furniture, and vases often featured vivid blacks, deep reds, gold leaf, and eggshell inlay (quaille d’œuf), resulting in surfaces that possessed an unparalleled depth and reflective polish.
He became a favorite of the Parisian elite, famously collaborating on the grand ocean liner SS Normandie in the 1930s, for which he created monumental lacquer panels. His studio became a nexus for the most talented artists of the era, who provided him with sketches and designs to be realized in his exquisite lacquer finish.
Active in others filds :
Sculpture, Metalworking (Dinanderie), Furniture Design, Interior Architecture.
Jean Dunand Legacy :
Jean Dunand revolutionized the application of lacquer in Western art, elevating what was once considered a craft into high fine art. His legacy is defined by his synthesis of cultures—marrying Japanese technique with European Modernism. Following his death in 1942, his son Bernard Dunand preserved his techniques and archives, ensuring the continuity of the Dunand style. His works remain highly coveted today, often fetching record prices at auction as definitive symbols of the Art Deco era’s opulence.
Dunand was a master collaborator. He frequently translated the works of other leading artists into lacquer, including legendary interior designers like Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and painters such as Jean Lambert-Rucki and Paul Jouve. His partnership with Seizo Sugawara remains one of the most significant cross-cultural artistic exchanges of the early 20th century.
