Dominique

DOMINIQUE

Dominique is the common name designating two artists who collaborated so closely with one another since 1920, that we cannot disassociate their respective works and contributions. Marcel Genévrière was born in Rouen, on July 2, 1885. After studying literature, he dedicated himself to journalism and worked for ten years as an art critic for "Comcedia", "Gil Blas", "Intransigeant" and "Paris Magazine.” In 1920, he founded, together with André Domin, the firm "Dominique." André Domin was born in Caen, on July 8, 1883. Having obtained a law degree, nothing seemed to predestine him to a career as a decorator other than a proclivity for drawing that dated back to his childhood. A self-taught man, he received no specialized education. Dominique realized important collections of furniture in France and abroad. Since 1933, it was employed by the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique to furnish ocean liners. The state entrusted Dominique with the decoration of the Landscape Exhibition at the Elysée Palace and it received numerous commissions from Mobilier National. Despite its apparently rectilinear forms, Dominique furniture was acutely attuned to the importance of accommodating the smooth curves of human form. This is perhaps also manifested in the felicitous use of delicate inlays of copper, tin metal, or fine strips of gilded bronze. In this same spirit, one discerns a strong penchant for beautiful woodwork and its ornamental and technical refinements. The designs which use Dominique’s graphic arabesques have a sober elegance. Furniture feet are often sheathed with bronze engraved hooves cleverly reminding one of their bodily construction. All these elements, wisely brought together, harmonize with precious woods: while Dominique furniture is responsive to the concrete issues facing modern home furnishing and its functional necessities, it nonetheless remains luxurious. Its refined luxury cautiously avoids vain and sumptuous decorative excesses while accommodating to the rhythms of our own time to perpetuate the great classical tradition.