Art Knowledge News

André-Charles Boulle Retrospective at the Museum of Decorative Arts of Frankfurt

Written by Jean Nérée Ronfort

Monday, 02 November 2009 01:06

FRANKFURT.- The first ever retrospective about André-Charles Boulle, the most illustrious cabinetmaker of all time, opened on October 28. With a scenography by Juan Pablo Molyneux, it takes place in the Museum of Decorative Arts of Frankfurt, the emblematic building created by Richard Meier. It was conceived by two French art historians, Jean Nérée Ronfort and Jean Dominique Augarde, in close cooperation with Professor Ulrich Schneider, director of the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Decorative Arts) of Frankfort. Even before he was 30 years old, the name of André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), Founder, Chaser, Gilder, Sculptor and Marqueter Ordinary to the King, was famous throughout Europe. In 1672 Louis XIV granted him a workshop inside the Louvre palace. His totally innovative genius in the concept of forms is paired with an unheard of virtuosity in the use of gilt bronze, which he was the first to unite with marquetry on a background of tortoiseshell. His creations were the absolute summit of opulence and elegance, combining extraordinary forms with materials verging on the precious, and a technical excellence never achieved again since. He worked for the Queen, the King, the Grand Dauphin and for the princes of the royal family. Eminent bankers of the kingdom vied for his works to furnish their mansions on the Place Vendome. The Princes Electors of Saxony, Bavaria and Cologne, the King of Spain, were among his clients. Displayed today in the greatest museums of the world, and symbols since three centuries of financial and social success, André Charles Boulle’s furniture is inseparable from other expressions of French art avidly sought after by the foremost European courts at the time of the Sun King. The exhibition everyone has been waiting for … The exhibition « André Charles Boulle (1642-1732) and the Art of his Time, A new Style for Europe » is the fruit of the combined expertise of a French group, The Association André-Charles Boulle and the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Decorative Arts) of Frankfurt hosts this event unique of its kind. Most of the works are shown for the first time, and some have never before left the countries where they are conserved. This is the case for the loans from the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, the Mobilier National in Paris, the Château of Versailles et des Trianons, the Banque de France, the Castle of Mannheim, the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston, the Swedish Royal Collection, and other major cultural institutions. In all, nearly thirty international museums whose names bring to mind the treasures of Western civilisation, and a few eminent private collectors, from seven countries (France, Germany, Great Britain, Slovenia, Sweden, Russia, and the United States of America) will have permitted the coming together of these masterpieces. Through their loans they reveal to the public an unprecedented image of a decisive evolution of Western art. The exhibition assembles some sixty exceptional pieces in floral marquetry, in tortoiseshell and brass marquetry or gilt bronze, witnesses to André-Charles Boulle’s talent. Displayed side by side with bronzes, tapestries and paintings, they illustrate the cultural beacon that was Paris at that time, and the genesis of a new European aesthetic. A rare collection of original drawings by André-Charles Boulle’s contemporaries from the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris and Berlin will complete this ensemble. The Manufacture des Gobelins, founded by Louis XIV in 1662, which has since become the Mobilier National, will also exhibit its latest works by the most committed contemporary designers, from Le Corbusier to the brothers Bouroullec, furniture and tapestries symbols of its continuity of creation. Fully supported by international cultural institutions In a city considered to be one of the crossroads of Europe, this exhibition reflects the age-old economic and cultural ties between Germany and France. By the presence of remarkable works of art it shows how a community of taste and thought was established between the two countries, but it also illustrates the cultural cooperation between them and the other European countries, and in a larger sense, the United States. Monsieur Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic, has granted his High Patronage to the exhibition. A prestigious international honour committee brings its support to this event. Present among its members are particularly H.E. Bernard de Montferrand - French Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Reinhard Schäfers - German Ambassador to France, but also H.E. Alexander Avdeev, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation. The exhibition also receives the support from the City of Frankfort and the State of Hessen, and the French Heritage Society (U.S.A.), and solicits the participation of firms and private patrons wishing to assert their engagement in favour of a strong European cultural policy through this emblematic project. An eminent scientific committee guarantees the quality of this event. In addition to Jean Nérée Ronfort, Jean Dominique Augarde and Ulrich Schneider, it is composed of other specialists in Decorative Arts ; Arnauld Bréjon de Lavergnée - Director of the collections of the Mobilier National et des Manufactures des Gobelins ; Joan Dejean - Trustee Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia ; Theodore Dell - American historian, author of the catalogue of André-Charles Boulle’s furniture at the Frick Collection of-York ; Peter Hughes - Former Curator of the Wallace Collection in London ; Hans Ottomeyer - General Director of the Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin ; Tamara Rappe - Director of European Decorative Arts at the State Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg ; Sigrid Sangl - Curator at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Münich ; Gillian Wilson -Curator Emeritus of Decorative Arts of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. A scenography signed Juan Pablo Molyneux The building of The Museum für Angewandte Kunst which hosts the exhibition is emblematic of the city of Frankfort. Conceived by Richard Meier in 1985, it was to influence the design of the J. Paul Getty Museum and became the model of all future creations by the architect. In this building, bathed in light, Juan Pablo Molyneux situated the exhibition. He created the proper setting to enshrine the aesthetic to which Boulle has given birth, and which was to become a paradigm of art for centuries to come. A fierce proponent of engaged classicism, Molyneux conceives scenographies that find their origins in History, without however being simple reconstitutions. “I try to distil that which is expected in order to transform it into something unexpected “he says.

Forum Summary Investors Guide to Liberia   Agenda & Presentations   Welcome • Stephen Hayes, President, The Corporate Council on Africa   Remarks • Hon. Antoinette Sayeh, Minister of Finance, Government of Liberia • Hon. Richard V. Tolbert, Chairman of National Investment Commission, • Hon. Olubanke King-Akerele, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of Liberia • Mr. Robert Mosbacher Jr., President and CEO, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation “The New Liberia: The Case for Investing in Liberia Today” Hon. Richard V. Tolbert, Chairman of National Investment Commission Business in Liberia Today: A Panel Discussion • Mr. Joseph Mathews, CEO, Arcelor Mittal Liberia • Dr. Aloy Chife, President and CEO, SocketWorks Limited • Dr. Nat Richardson, President of Bong Mines/Geo Services and President of Amlib United Minerals • Mr. Thomas S. Jeffrey III, CEO and General Manager, International Bank (Liberia) Limited Moderator: • Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, Executive Director, Databank Ghana Oil and Gas Exploration, Production and Supply • Mr. Harry Greaves, Managing Director, Liberia Petroleum Refining Company • Mr. Pierre Benichou, President, Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific for TGS-Nopec • Hon. Dr. Fodee Kromah, President and CEO, National Oil Company of Liberia, Republic of Liberia Moderator: • Ambassador Howard F. Jeter, Executive Vice President, GoodWorks International Mining (gold, diamonds, bauxite and iron ore) • Hon. Dr. Eugene Shannon, Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy, Republic of Liberia • Mr. Alan Bewsher, Business Development Manager, Iron Ore, BHP Billiton • Mr. Earl Young, Director, Jean-Raymond Boulle Corporations • Mr. Guy Pas, Founder and Chairman, Mano River Resources Moderator: • Mr. Glenn D. Dunmire, III, Director, Business Development, DynCorp International Infrastructure (roads, ports and airports) • Hon. Luseni Dunzo, Acting Minister of Public Works, Republic of Liberia • James M. Anderson, Vice President, Parsons • Mr. William Ohrt, Managing Director, Regimanuel Gray Limited • Mr. Julius Dennis, General Manager, Roberts International Airport (RIA) Moderator: • Mr. Nkosana Moyo, Managing Partner, Actis     Financing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development in Liberia • Mr. William Phelps, Senior Financial Advisor, CHF International • Dr. Mills Jones, Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia • Mr. Francis Dennis, President, Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) • Ms. Sandrine Massiani, Managing Director for Africa, ProCredit Moderator: • Mr. Rodney J. MacAlister, President, U.S. African Development Foundation (ADF) Forum Luncheon and Panel Discussion Welcome: • Stephen Hayes, President, The Corporate Council on Africa Introduction of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: • Mr. Robert Mosbacher Jr., President and CEO, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation Keynote and subsequent Panel Discussion: • Her Excellency Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia • Mr. Robert Johnson, Founder and Chairman, The RLJ Companies • Mr. Alex Cummings, President and COO, Coca-Cola Africa. Moderator: • Mr. Robert Mosbacher Jr., President and CEO, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Agriculture and Forestry • Hon. Christopher Toe, Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Liberia • Mr. Keith Jubah, President of the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia • Mr. Michael Frayne, Chairman, Equatorial Biofuels • Mr. Jeffrey Morgan, Director of Global Programs, Mars Incorporated Moderator: • Mr. Bill Guyton, President, World Cocoa Foundation Construction (Housing and Hotels) • Hon. Charles Harris, Managing Director, National Housing Authority, Republic of Liberia • Mr. Allen Brown, II, Urban Holdings • Mr. James Brenner, CEO, Broad Cove Partners, Inc. Moderator: • Ms. Debra Erb, Director of Housing Programs, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation Power and Electricity Development • Mr. Harry Yuan, Managing Director, Liberian Electricity Company • Mr. Eric Yankah, Advisor/Deputy CEO, Volta River Authority (VRA) • Mr. Ron Flax-Davidson, Executive Vice President, Trade and Project Finance, Sofitel Capital • Mr. Lawrence Jones PhD, CEO, LAUVICOM Group Moderator: • Mr. Chris Neyor, Energy Specialist/Advisor, Liberian Reconstruction and Development Committee (LRDC) Transportation and Transportation Services • Hon. Jeremiah Sulunteh, Minister of Transport, Republic of Liberia • Mr. Paul Johnson, U.S. Operations Manager, Global Fleet Sales Company Limited • Mr. Julius Dennis, General Manager, Roberts International Airport (RIA) Moderator: • Mr. Erran Persley, Senior Vice President Africa Region, Chemonics International Finding Liberian Business Partners • Mr. Sam Mitchell, President, Liberia Business Association • Mr. Richelieu Dennis, Chairman and CEO, Sundial Group of Companies • Mr. Charles Morrison, President and Chairman, Scientific Concept • Mr. Simeon C.F. Freeman, CEO, Consolidated Group and Vist Group Moderator: • Hon. Olubanke King-Akerele, Minister of Commerce, Republic of Liberia Financing Options for Investment in Liberia • Mr. John Simon, Executive Vice President, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation • Mr. Milton Weeks, Managing Director, Stanbic Nigeria • Ms. Morenike Adepoju, Managing Director, Ecobank Liberia • Mr. Thierry Tanoh, Director, International Finance Corporation Moderator: • Hon. Natty B. Davis, National Coordinator, Liberia Reconstruction and Development Committee (LRDC) Signing Ceremonies Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) between the Governments of the Republic of Liberia and the United States of America   Introductions: • Mr. Stephen Hayes, President, The Corporate Council on Africa Signatories: • Hon. Ambassador Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative • Hon. Olubanke King-Akerele, Minster of Commerce and Industry, Republic of Liberia Open Skies Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Liberia and the United States of America Introductions: • Mr. Stephen Hayes, President, The Corporate Council on Africa Signatories: • H.E. Donald Booth, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia • Mr. Richelieu Williams, Director General, Liberian Civil Aviation Authority Closing Session • Hon. Olubanke King-Akerele, Minister of Commerce and Industry • Hon. Richard V. Tolbert, Chairman of the National Investment Commission Note of thanks • Stephen Hayes, President, The Corporate Council on Africa