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Eileen Gray: Her Life and Work
Eileen Gray (18781976) is regarded as one of the most important furniture designers and architects of the early 20th century and the most influential woman in those fields. Her work inspired both modernism and Art Deco. Her design style was as distinctive as her way of working, and Gray developed an opulent, luxuriant take on the geometric forms and industrially produced materials used by the International Style designers, such as Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Mies Van Der Rohe, who shared many of her ideals. Her voluptuous leather and tubular steel Bibendum Chair, and clinically chic E-1027 glass and tubular steel table are now as familiar as icons of the International Style as Le Corbusier and Perriands classic Grand Confort club chairs, yet for most of her career she was relegated to obscurity by the same proud singularity that makes her work so prized today. This stunningly illustrated volume is set to be the definitive biography and survey of her eventful life and groundbre
356 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 17, 2021
Eileen's unfathomable contribution to modern architecture and her endless quest to push boundaries cast an obscure shade against her sheer existence and recognition. Due to her isolated and detached nature, in a hierarchy that is dominated by male her mystical being seemed alas a pity and yet destined.
The books has curated brilliantly a visual memory of Eileen's life and her ravishing masterpieces, it was such a pleasurable, informative, and inspiring reading.
P.s. For those who are not familiar with history of modern architecture and artefact this book might demand quite some commitments of background research.
The books has curated brilliantly a visual memory of Eileen's life and her ravishing masterpieces, it was such a pleasurable, informative, and inspiring reading.
P.s. For those who are not familiar with history of modern architecture and artefact this book might demand quite some commitments of background research.
December 14, 2024
A very personal view of a design and architecture genius. We are so lucky to have a book written about her from someone who knew her.
I was teary by the end of it
I was teary by the end of it
March 14, 2023
“The future projects light, the past only shadows” - Eileen Gray (1878 - 1976)
This remarkable woman, Eileen Gray, executed innovative and modern designs for furniture and a handful of homes, including the famous E—1027 on the French Riviera. She also developed countless plans and models for innovative, affordable and practical homes and communities. Born in Ireland, she went to art school but was not formally trained as an architect, which the author suggests worked to Gray’s advantage. She established herself early in her career as a talented furniture designer, most known for her stunning lacquer screens, chair designs, and sofas. She designed furniture for many distinguished clients, including an entire flat in Paris for Madame Mathieu-Levy. Mathieu-Levy asked for “something extravagant” for the salon. Gray produced numerous, now iconic pieces, including her famous daybed, the Pirogue.
Gray also designed and produced rugs. When I look at her rug designs today, I see that Gray embodied Modernism. Her designs reflect cubism, the burgeoning movement in Europe that coincided with her early design years. Adam describes the circle of artists that Gray mingled with, including the portrait painter Gerald Kelly, as well as those she was influenced by, including Picasso, Matisse, and Brancusi.
In our era, there is a thriving market for Gray’s works. Her pieces usually sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately for us, many of her furniture pieces, including her lacquer screens, are available to view at various museums including the MoMA, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Pompidou Centre in Paris.
But as the book recounts, Gray did not receive the recognition she deserved during her lifetime for her greatest architectural achievement—the villa known as E—1027. The land was purchased by her partner at the time, Jean Badovici, an architect and publisher of the magazine, L’Architrecture Vivante. But it was Eileen who created all of the plans, models, and designs for the villa and its furniture and was involved in its construction. Yet it was Badovici and his friend, the well-known architect Le Corbusier, who took credit for its design. Even more disturbing is how Le Corbusier, during one visit to the villa, painted colour-infused murals on all of the interior walls. This was a defacement to the clean aesthetic design that Gray had created. According to Adam, Eileen was devastated and didn’t want to see the home ever again. By that time, her and Badovici’s relationship had shifted to an estranged friendship, yet one that was bound by the house.
I was inspired reading about Gray’s life. Her energy, creativity, and ideas seemed limitless. On the other hand, it was also sad; Gray appeared anti-social, reclusive. The author doesn’t delve into why, but describes Gray as he saw her—as a life-long friend, a talented woman who shunned public appearances and declined invitations for collaborative work.
Fortunately, Gray is now recognized as a pioneer of the Modernist movement, known for her bold and innovative furniture and architectural designs.
Eileen Gray: Her Life and Work is a phenomenal and inspiring read.
This remarkable woman, Eileen Gray, executed innovative and modern designs for furniture and a handful of homes, including the famous E—1027 on the French Riviera. She also developed countless plans and models for innovative, affordable and practical homes and communities. Born in Ireland, she went to art school but was not formally trained as an architect, which the author suggests worked to Gray’s advantage. She established herself early in her career as a talented furniture designer, most known for her stunning lacquer screens, chair designs, and sofas. She designed furniture for many distinguished clients, including an entire flat in Paris for Madame Mathieu-Levy. Mathieu-Levy asked for “something extravagant” for the salon. Gray produced numerous, now iconic pieces, including her famous daybed, the Pirogue.
Gray also designed and produced rugs. When I look at her rug designs today, I see that Gray embodied Modernism. Her designs reflect cubism, the burgeoning movement in Europe that coincided with her early design years. Adam describes the circle of artists that Gray mingled with, including the portrait painter Gerald Kelly, as well as those she was influenced by, including Picasso, Matisse, and Brancusi.
In our era, there is a thriving market for Gray’s works. Her pieces usually sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately for us, many of her furniture pieces, including her lacquer screens, are available to view at various museums including the MoMA, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Pompidou Centre in Paris.
But as the book recounts, Gray did not receive the recognition she deserved during her lifetime for her greatest architectural achievement—the villa known as E—1027. The land was purchased by her partner at the time, Jean Badovici, an architect and publisher of the magazine, L’Architrecture Vivante. But it was Eileen who created all of the plans, models, and designs for the villa and its furniture and was involved in its construction. Yet it was Badovici and his friend, the well-known architect Le Corbusier, who took credit for its design. Even more disturbing is how Le Corbusier, during one visit to the villa, painted colour-infused murals on all of the interior walls. This was a defacement to the clean aesthetic design that Gray had created. According to Adam, Eileen was devastated and didn’t want to see the home ever again. By that time, her and Badovici’s relationship had shifted to an estranged friendship, yet one that was bound by the house.
I was inspired reading about Gray’s life. Her energy, creativity, and ideas seemed limitless. On the other hand, it was also sad; Gray appeared anti-social, reclusive. The author doesn’t delve into why, but describes Gray as he saw her—as a life-long friend, a talented woman who shunned public appearances and declined invitations for collaborative work.
Fortunately, Gray is now recognized as a pioneer of the Modernist movement, known for her bold and innovative furniture and architectural designs.
Eileen Gray: Her Life and Work is a phenomenal and inspiring read.
September 5, 2020
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! First heard of her on a tour in Paris when we stopped outside her apartment. Then she raised her lovely head again during Lockdown in a discussion with Modernist friends. Bought book, bought table E.1027 and desperately want to visit her house(s) in South of France. Extraordinarily creative and soon ready to move on to her next idea. Never thwarted by anyone to get exactly the right the piece she had in mind. Not good at business but did she care? No! Also she had money of her own. Eileen's work is still created under licence and her house created for an undeserving (my word) lover E1027 and ruined by the little Swiss Man (Corbusier) stands and is waiting to be visited. Please read this a personal account of a friendship of one of the outstanding unknown architects and creatives of the C20th.
September 3, 2023
so interesting, absolutely love eileen. great photos as well. only thing i didn’t like was how it jumped around chronologically but i think that’s a me problem because i’m bad at keeping timelines straight.
January 23, 2011
Great book about a higly underratted Lady.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews