Jean PROUVE (1901-1984)

Four-panel louvered interior partition, 1952.
(A 3-panel model also exists).
Originating from six of the large apartments in the Air France Housing Unit in Brazzaville, Congo. Nine examples found in varying states of preservation.

Fixed fins in ribbed aluminum sheet, frames in folded steel sheet, the whole lacquered grey or ivory. The two side panels are designed to be fixed to the walls; the two central panels are doors mounted on pivot hinges. Duckbill handles (door handles) in cast aluminum, branded “Bricard”, used by Jean Prouvé from the 1930s until the end of his career.

Each panel: width 90 cm, height 211 cm.

Bibliography

– The housing plans from the Charlotte Perriand Archives simply mention the locations of the partitions.
– Correspondence from Ateliers Jean Prouvé to Charlotte Perriand dated September 18, 1951, Tarride’s questionnaire and Prouvé’s handwritten note (sic) “Shade (…) of the louvered doors (…) Should the fins of the doors be left in natural aluminum?”
– Correspondence from Ateliers Jean Prouvé to Steph Simon dated December 13, 1951 (sic) “The louvered doors are currently being drafted for execution”
– Peter Sulzer, Jean Prouvé vol. 3 1944-1954, Ed. Birkhauser, Basel, 2005, p. 302, no. 1262.2: “Air France Housing Unit, Brazzaville. Ateliers Jean Prouvé studied and produced (…) louvered partitions.” “