Jean Prouvé, builder of modern furniture

Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) never wanted to be called a designer. A blacksmith, engineer, builder, this Lorrain spent his life designing furniture as one designs architecture: by calculation, by sketch, by demand of the material. Folded sheet, welded steel, solid wood: each piece signed Prouvé, from the Standard chair (1934) to the Visiteur armchair, the Métropole chair and the EM table, tells of an obsession with function and the right material. Reissued by Vitra, he remains one of the most cited designers of the 20th century.

The Standard chair, Visiteur armchair, EM Cité table: pieces signed Jean Prouvé are now absolute grails of 20th-century French design. Original editions reach dizzying auction prices; Vitra reissues remain a Grail for those wanting to find this signature furniture.