Süe et Mare
Louis Süe and André Mare formed one of the most influential partnerships of the Art Deco era, united by shared artistic ideals and wartime experience. Süe was born in Bordeaux in 1875 and trained at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, studying painting and architecture. He moved easily between fine art and decorative design and exhibited regularly at major Paris salons before the First World War. Mare, born in Argentan in 1885, studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs and quickly distinguished himself through bold furniture and interior concepts. Both men were drawn to modernity but retained a deep respect for French decorative tradition. Before the war, they moved in avant garde circles and absorbed influences from Cubism and contemporary painting. Military service interrupted their careers but also shaped their outlook and sense of collaboration. After the war, they reunited with a renewed ambition to redefine French interior design.
In 1919, Süe and Mare founded the Compagnie des Arts Français, positioning it as a workshop that united artists, craftsmen, and designers. Their goal was to create complete interiors in which furniture, textiles, lighting, and decoration formed a unified whole. While firmly aligned with Art Deco, their work favored elegance and classical balance over strict geometric severity. They drew inspiration from earlier French styles while simplifying forms and refining proportions for modern life. Their interiors were richly decorative, often featuring sculpted motifs, luxurious woods, and carefully coordinated surfaces. The partnership achieved international recognition at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, where they presented a museum of contemporary art and multiple high-profile interiors. Major commissions followed, including luxury ocean liners, embassy interiors, and fashion-related projects. Creative differences following the sale of the Compagnie in 1928 led to their separation, but their shared body of work had already defined a lasting vision of Art Deco luxury.
The style of Süe et Mare blends French classical tradition with the decorative richness of early Art Deco. Their interiors emphasize harmony, comfort, and visual unity rather than radical abstraction. Ornamental detail plays a central role, often expressed through carved motifs, textiles, and refined surface treatments. Forms are simplified but never austere, preserving a sense of warmth and elegance. Their work represents a vision of modern luxury rooted in continuity rather than rupture.
Key Influences
- French Classical Furniture: Historic Louis period models informed their proportions, balance, and sense of refinement.
- Cubist Painting: Exposure to Cubism encouraged simplified forms and bold compositional structure.
- Wartime Collaboration: Shared military experience strengthened their commitment to teamwork and unified design.
- Total Interior Design: The ideal of cohesive environments shaped their approach to furniture and decoration.
- Luxury Craftsmanship: Collaboration with skilled artisans reinforced their emphasis on materials and finish.
