Frank Jean-Michel

Biography

Despite being coined as a minimalist, Jean-Michel Frank (1895-1941) was surprisingly multidimensional in his work. His simplest of designs were elevated using mother-of-peal, bleached leather, shagreen, and vellum to give them 'great elegance'. Revered as the undisputed champion of Modernist French Design, Frank is best known for his subtle, refined forms and hallmark non-colours.

Over his career, Jean-Michel Frank built up an impressive roster of patrons including Elise Schiaparelli, Nelson A. Rockefeller, and Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlin. Against the backdrop of the war, Frank served to create subdued, calm interiors that offered refuge from the chaotic world.