The International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, Paris, April-October 1925 is a crucial stage in the career of René Crevel.
In Class 13, Art and Textile Industry, he is made a member of the Admission Committee and is the main collaborator with Paul Follot (architect-installer of the Class), the artistic advisor for the scenography.
His exhibits include:
-furnishing fabrics, printed canvases, silks, in particular those produced by Cornille and Brunet-Meunié;
-Jacquard carpets and rugs made by the Manufacture Française de Tapis et Couvertures (MFTC);
-two lace blinds, exceptional pieces made using entirely traditional techniques by Figuès, Atoch & Cie.
For all of his creations, he was awarded a Grand Prix.
In Class 14, Art and Paper Industry he exhibits numerous wallpaper models, in particular those produced by Le Mardelé and by CH.-H. Geffroy. He is awarded a silver medal.
In Class 6, Art and Industry of Glass, presided over by Jacques Gruber, for his stained glass window "The Crucifixion", executed by the Atelier Damon, he receives a Diploma of Honour.
At the French Embassy Pavilion, created by the Société des Artistes Décorateurs, he designs and produces two large panels - oils on canvas - for the Antichambre designed by Paul Follot.
He plays a leading role in the Pavilion of the VIIth Economic Region (Limoges, Limousin and Charentes): he illustrates the cover of the catalogue and is part of the Commission appointed by the Regional Committee and exhibitors for the presentation of exhibits and relations with the press.
This is when he emerges as one of the most innovative ceramic artists: he creates three pairs of large vases. The six pieces are exceptional and Crevel's designs represent a turning point in the decorative art of porcelain. The octagonal vase, decorated with white dancers and black musicians, whose shape is by Chabrol, will go down in history as one of the first examples of the Art Deco style.
In addition, for Martin and Duché, La Porcelaine Limousine or Porcelaines François, of which he was the artistic adviser, he composes numerous plate designs. He also designs dinner services with modernist shapes and motifs for the Chabrol et Poirier factory, which win a Grand Prix.
At the end of the event, he receives a commemorative diploma as a member of the Admission Committee of Class 13, Textiles. For all of his creations, he is awarded a Vermeil Medal by the French Renaissance.
1925-1934 : The glory years
November 1925 Marks the start of collaboration with the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres: he designs several plate decorations and a large vase (Rapin form n° 15).
1926 On January 16, he wins a prize in the competition for the creation of a perfume bottle, organized by the SEAI for the Houbigant House. Out of 700 projects submitted, René Crevel's entry, along with those of Pierre d'Avesn and Yvonne Fourgeaud, is awarded one of the 16 prizes. It is then exhibited at Cristalleries Baccarat, rue de Paradis, in the 10th Paris district.
During the "Saison d'Art" at the Manufacture nationale de la Tapisserie de Beauvais, he exhibits the carpets made with the MFTC and the Manufacture of Tapis d'Orient in Tlemcen, Algeria (April 14-October 5).
Designs all the stained glass windows for the church of Notre-Dame de Seuil, in the Ardennes, which is being rebuilt in the Art Deco style after being devastated by the bombings of 1918. There are 18 windows including a large memorial window of the Great War (5.30 x 2.81 m).
At the Salon d'Automne, he exhibits new wallpapers printed by CH.-H. Geffroy, for whom he is now its exclusive designer. Presents an exceptional set of five knotted carpets made by Le Point Sarrazin, in Aveyron (November 5-December 19).
In the field of carpets, he also works with the Aubusson factories of Hamot Frères, Éts Marcel Coupé, Aux Fabriques d'Aubusson, for whom he creates unique models.
Begins the construction of his house in Saint-Cloud, at 2 Chemin de Suresnes.
1927
The Salon des Indépendants sees the first presentation of his knotted-stitch carpets created for Le Grand Magasin, which has launched a collection of thirty-two modern carpets under the brand name A la Place Clichy, with other designs by Gustave Fayet, Bénédictus, Coudyser, Crevel, Dangon, Yvonne Fourgeaud, Gaudissart, Gislain, Francis Jourdain, Mrs. Kehrling, Solange Patry-Bié, Siclis, and Jacques Vergé (21 January-27 February).
At the "Saison d'Art" in Beauvais, exhibits samples of carpet made in Jacquard weaving, or mechanical knotted stitch, by the MFTC (June 4-October 10).
Creates the first wallpapers under the brand name Le Velouté, the registered trademark of the House CH.-H. Geffroy. Previews them at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs (May 10-July 10). Then creates a collection, with Maurice Dufrène, Jacques Klein and Francis Jourdain. Designs all the advertisments for the Velouté brand.
Writes a column for the magazine Papiers Peints et Tentures called "Critique d'Art...iste", alternating with René Gabriel and Guillaume Janneau. His articles appear in June, then in August and October.
At the Galliera Museum, at the Art of Silk Exhibition (June-October), his new models of silk furnishings are on show.
At the General Exhibition of Applied Art, Le Décor de la vie (winter 1927-1928) his carpets are in the spotlight. One of the models on show is part of the portfolio 12 Tapis au point noué produced for the À La Place Clichy collection.
As Architect-decorator and designer of the bookstore Le Temps retrouvé on rue Richepanse (or Richepance), he designs the storefront, and the fittings and furnishings (December).
1928
Moves into his studio house in Saint-Cloud at 2 chemin de Suresnes. It is cutting edge architecture, one of the leading examples of the Art Deco style.
Birth of his son Claude, Maurice on April 9 in Saint-Cloud.
Beginning of his collaboration with Jean Crouzillard who opens the Galerie Legédé, dedicated to ceramics, within the store Le Grand Dépôt, rue Drouot. In January, René Crevel is invited to show his new creations on a permanent basis.
In June, at the Gallery's first major exhibition, Pour orner la table et embellir le Home (decorating the table and beautifying the home) he exhibits models of plates and vases recently designed for the Manufacture de Sèvres.
He is one of the protagonists of the exhibition Printed and painted fabrics and wallpaper at the Musée Galliera (spring).
The exhibition, at which his creations win awards, is also the last art event at which his work for Geffroy will be seen. The following winter their factory is destroyed by a flood and the company CH.-H. Geffroy will never recover.
At the "Saison d'Art" in Beauvais, he exhibits new carpet designs (April 28-July 10).
At the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, for the first time he exhibits a set of furniture, "A corner of living room", made by the Company Noël, Faubourg Saint-Antoine (8 May-10 July).
As architect/decorator, he completely transforms the famous Gustave Sandoz jewelry store, 10 rue Royale in Paris with bespoke fittings and furniture, and its facade (inauguration on June 8).
Is the Interior Decorator of the Hôtel de Paris, a large hotel in the "liner" style, built by the architects Charles Nicod and Emile Molinié on the Boulevard de la Madeleine.
In the reception hall, he is responsible for the furnishings for the vast central atrium, as well as the small adjoining salon, which he decorates with a large painted panel.
On the first floor of the building, he completely transforms "Le Viel", one of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Paris.
In the first basement, below the restaurant, he creates the Viel bar, decorating and furnishing it. The Hôtel de Paris and the Viel (the restaurant and American bar) open in the middle of the year.
In the second basement, accessed by a staircase, he creates a party room, The Magdala, for teas and dinner dances. It is inaugurated on November 29.
Participates in an exhibition organized by the B. Altman & Co. Department Store on Fifth Avenue in New York. The theme is 20th Century Taste in the New Expression of the Arts in Home Furnishings. French furniture is represented by Ruhlmann, Dominique, Leleu, Léon Jallot and René Crevel. He shows a two-leaf blue engraved lacquered sideboard enhanced with silver. Its decoration, an archer and an antelope, enthralled the American decorators, many of whom drew inspiration from it. The Maison Noël uses it as an illustration for all its advertising.
Creates three large movie posters for the film Le Désir, directed by Arsène Durec (released in November).
At the Salon d'Automne, he exhibits a new set of furniture, "The dining room"; in wood and metal, predominantly green and yellow. It is made by the Société Noël. A large decorative panel covers the wall under a tiered lighted ceiling.
Shows a Limoges porcelain dinner service, made by the Manufactures Robert Haviland & Le Tanneur and Bernardaud, published by the Ateliers d'Art Legédé-Le Grand Dépôt (November 4-December 16).
Lends his support, along with Eugene Alluaud, Lalique, Jallot, Subes, Suzanne Lalique, Jean Dufy, Auguste Delaherche, to the exhibition La Table française at the Galeries La Boétie (November).
He is one of the most represented contemporary artists at the great Retrospective of French Ceramics from 1860 to 1928 of the Galerie Legédé (from December 20).
1929
Represented at numerous exhibitions in Paris and abroad, such as:
At the Salon de l'École française (January 8-February 1), exhibits models of placemats and tableware.
At the French Exhibition in Cairo, Egypt (March-April) is awarded a Grand Prix in the Ceramics section (Class 73).
His designs (decorated plates and dinner services), made by the Grand Dépôt, are then exhibited in the new "Maisons d'Art français" founded by Jean Crouzillard in Cairo and Alexandria.
At the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs (May 7-July 7), he shows an important set of decorated plates, dinner services, cake plates, tea services, manufactured by Bernardaud & Cie and the Robert Haviland & Le Tanneur factory, for the Ateliers d'Art Legédé-Le Grand Dépôt). Is a member of the jury for the 20th SEAI competition.
At the International Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain (May 20, 1929-February 15, 1930), along with the Society of Decorative Artists he shows new models of plates. Many pieces are also shown by the Consortium of ceramics and the Chambre syndicale des Arts décoratifs de la Table. His designs are later exhibited at the French Art Houses in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Gijon and Oviedo.
In Paris, at the Galerie Legédé, there is an exhibition of the pieces made together with Jules Sarlandie, master enameller, in Limoges. This enamel ware, cups, pots, vases, are on the cover of the magazine Les Echos d'Art in July.
In Vienna, Austria, in the autumn, his porcelain dinner services are exhibited at the French Salon of Art and Luxury Industries as part of the International Fair, then at the Maison d'Art français.
In Paris, as part of the centenary of Limoges porcelain, he is one of the major artists of the exhibition, The Contemporary Porcelain of Limoges at the Pavilion de Marsan (November-December).
At the Salon d'Automne (November 3-December 22), René Crevel is one of the main artists exhibiting in the Ceramics section:
His two "Table sets" –matching porcelain plates and table linens, using the same motif, are an innovation in the Arts de la Table. The porcelain is manufactured by the Balleroy Manufacture, the table linen by the Maison Forest).
Also shows numerous other pieces for which he has, for the most part, designed the shapes and decorations: items such as breakfast or dessert plates, vegetable dishes, teapots, cups (Bernardaud, Robert Haviland & Le Tanneur, Lanternier, Granger, Martin & Duché porcelains).
He also shows eight enamel vases executed by Sarlandie.
And introduces the first samples of wallpapers he has designed for the Éditions d'Art (Essef) of the Société française des papiers peints.
His enamels form part of an exhibition devoted to Jules Sarlandie by the Galerie Legédé, followed by the Exhibition L'Émail moderne at the Galerie Drouet (December 1929-January 1930).
1930
At the IVth Exhibition of French Decoration (Federation of Art Industries), Pavillon de Marsan (February-March), Rene Crevel’s designs are prominently displayed.
On show at the Hamot (Aubusson) Pavillion are a carpet, one of his tapestry armchairs and a large wall tapestry, The Rider. This was later acquired by the Canadian Government, and is now in the Museum of Civilization, Quebec.
On the same stand is Marcel Coupé, who exhibits one of his carpets; Corneille who presents his fabrics; and the Société Noël, which has made his furniture, a tubular seat covered with velvet and a modernist dressing table, wood and metal.
His wallpapers, along with those of Ruhlmann, La Compagnie des Arts français, Primavera and La Maîtrise, are part of the 1930-1931 Collection "Edition d'Art Essef". The models are collected together in a catalogue for which he illustrates the cover.
Numerous porcelain dinner services and enamel vases (published by the Ateliers d'art Legédé-le Grand Dépôt) are included in the exhibition.
The International Exhibition of Liege, Belgium (April-November): together with Balleroy, Bernardaud and Simone Thiénot, he is a member of the jury of Class 72b, Ceramics of furnishing and ceramics of art. Participates in Class 73a, Art Glassware, where his enamels are exhibited. The international jury awards him a Grand Prix.
The XXth Salon des Artistes Décorateurs (May 14-July 13): presents an large furniture set (Société Noël edition): Two Parts of a Living Room; the lounge with a bar and the dining room. Also shows enamel vases executed by Sarlandie. The furniture and enamels are selected by Marcel Chappey for a portfolio published at the initiative of the Society, The XXth Exhibition of Decorative Artists.
Exhibition Le Décor de la Table at the Musée Galliera (June-October): first museum exhibition to showcase "Complete Sets"; from furniture to tableware, cutlery to tablecloths, glasses and table decorations. "La Table" by René Crevel is featured on the cover of the magazine Les Echos d'Art in July.
3rd International Exhibition of Contemporary Industrial Art, Decorative Metalwork and Cotton Textiles, in the United States: his enamel pieces are displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (October 15-November 10), followed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (December 1-18, 1930), the Art Institute, Chicago (January 19-February 15, 1931), and the Museum of Art, Cleveland (March 11-April 5, 1931).
An innovative architectural project : the Autos-relais (Motoring Hotels ie motels). This is an architecturally avant-garde building designed to provide day and night services, reception and lodging for motorists.
1931
As Architect/Decorator, he designs the layout, exterior and/or interior decoration of various prestigious establishments, such as:
The Société des Grand Hôtels:
The Hôtel Continental in the Vendôme district; designs the façade and carries out the decoration and furnishing of the restaurant "Les Tuileries" (opening on June 4).
The Maison du Portugal, the first Portuguese tourist office in France, on rue Scribe: designs the façade, for which he uses a new material, Desagnat glass mural, and the entire interior (official opening on June 8).
A number of stores and luxury boutiques, storefronts and interiors including the glove shop "Nicolet", rue Duphot, and the luxury shoe shop "Unic", boulevard Saint-Martin. Designs the "Frigéco" store, 114 avenue des Champs-Élysées.
He is also responsible for several luxurious private interiors, such as that of Madame Célérier in Paris.
At the International Colonial Exhibition (Paris, May 6-November 15), he is awarded an Honorary Diploma in Class 72, ceramics. Jules Sarlandie and Bernardaud, for whom he has created new models of plates, are also honoured.
As a painter, In his landscape paintings, his style shifts towards a "simplified realism". One of his paintings, L'ancienne rue Seigneur or rue Oscar-Grindel, is acquired by Gustave Couturier, mayor of Fécamp, who donates it to the Town’s new museum.
At the Salon d'Automne, for the first time since 1925, René Crevel enters two paintings (November 1 - December 13).
He also begins a series of paintings for which he draws inspiration from his previous major decorative themes: nudes, bathers, horsemen. In these paintings he adopts a cubist style, using a palette of coloured greys. In the autumn he paints The Rider with a Bird, oil on canvas. The Sèvres Manufacturing Company chooses the painting as a model for the decoration of one of its large vases (Aubert vase 19).
Participation in the exhibition Le Limousin vu par les artistes au Sylve, galerie d'art du Bûcheron, rue de Rivoli, Paris (November).
Participation in the exhibition Modern Ceramists, Museum of Ceramics in Sevres (December).
1932
New architectural project which is soon quickly adopted by the Union Nationale Automobile. This is a standard model of a service station "Relais de France", to be built on the major roads of France.
Participates in the renovation of the Hotel Astoria, one of the oldest establishments on the Champs-Élysées. He designs the bar-restaurant in the basement.
As the architect and decorator, he designs a bar for the ultra-modern Técalémit Service Station, a vast complex being built near the Champs-Élysées, right in the heart of Paris. René Crevel creates the "Bar Técalémit", an-all-metal bar with avant-garde decor (opening in October, 31 rue de Berri).
1933
Exhibitions at the Galerie du Cygne and the Maison de France, avenue George-V, in Paris. He shows pieces from the Sèvres Company
At the Salon d'Automne (November 1-December 10) he exhibits Le Chalutier, an oil on canvas, which he donates to the Museum of Fécamp the following year.
Participates in the XXIIIrd Exhibition of the Society of Norman Artists at the Museum of Rouen (November).
1934
In the spring, he produces decorations for eight tiles (plaquettes) and a large earthenware plate for Sevres, plus models of porcelain plates, and the decoration of a vase with a lid (vase Rapin 11) L'Automne, figures.
Participation in the exhibition Recent works of the Manufacture de Sèvres, Galerie Charpentier, Paris (June).
At the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, shows his wallpapers printed by Nobilis (May 4-July 8).
Participation in the exhibition Recent works of the Manufacture de Sèvres, Galerie Charpentier, Paris (June).
As both architect and decorator, he designs an entirely new interior for the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo (June).
That summer, he goes to the Normandy coast, to explore its ports; Barfleur, then Carteret, Granville, Mont Saint-Michel. He paints numerous watercolours. In his paintings, he is exploring a new theme around the "workers of the sea", such as sailors, fishermen, caulkers, pebble and sand collectors. His style is moving towards a certain "social realism". Shows some of these at the Salon des Echanges, Parc des Expositions, Porte de Versailles (December 1934-January 1935).
In December, he produces a new design, a landscape with a rider and a bather for a large vase (Aubert 19) produced by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres.
Founds his own decoration company "Société CREVEL R. et Cie" registered at his address, 2 chemin de Suresnes in Saint-Cloud (December 21).
1934-1937 : At the peak of his profession
1934-1935
After having worked for two years with Jean Crouzillard to form the Group of Professional Unions of Painters, Sculptors, Decorators and Engravers, René Crevel is elected a member of the Committee of Decorators.
As such he is part of the Bureau of the National Federation of Artists and Artisans of Art (Joint-Treasurer with Auguste Heiligenstein).
Participates in the first multidisciplinary exhibition of the Coopération des Métiers d'Art in the new space opened at the Grand Dépôt, the "Art" Gallery (December 11, 1934 - January 31, 1935).
1935
Comes up with another highly innovative project: the creation of "roadside shelters" at bus stops throughout the country. This is a project of both public and professional importance, as one aim is to support his fellow architects, artists and craftsmen. From a standard model and several templates, those professions of each region could design and make these "road shelters" that take into account the landscape and local flavour.
The tea and dessert services he has designed for the Royal Worcester Company, one of the oldest and most prestigious British companies, are included in the Exhibition of English Pottery Old and New at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (April-August).
Participation in the 1st Salon de la porcelaine et des émaux limousins et berrichons, inaugurated on June 7 in Paris, Gare d'Orsay: shows numerous pieces made by the Limoges porcelain factories and by the Manufacture de Sèvres.
His wallpapers are shown by Nobilis at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs (May 3-July 14, 1935).
In this period, he produces many wallpaper designs: for the French Society of Wallpapers, the Ets Desfossé and Karth, and, increasingly, for Isidore Leroy, a leading company in the sector.
Creates models of carpets for the Manufacture Française de Tapis et Couvertures. Regularly contributes ideas of sumptuous tapestry seats for Hamot in Aubusson.
Participation in the exhibition Five Centuries of Aubusson Tapestries, Museum of Decorative Arts, Paris (November-December).
At the Salon d'Automne (November 1-December 8), for the first time he shows decorative panels made of porcelain tiles enamelled in a large fire, a new material developed in Limoges by Bernardaud. Illustrates their brochure ” revêtements artistiques".
Displays his painting Les Ravaudeux (Étretat).
Takes part in the Salon des Echanges, alongside painters such as Camoin, Cosson, Zingg, Cavaillès and Souverbie (Parc des Expositions, December 1935-January 1936).
1936
At the 1st Salon de peinture de Saint-Cloud, organized by his friend Doctor François Debat, he exhibits sveral paintings and watercolours (March).
Participates in the exhibition Les Artistes Normands at the gallery L'Art et la Mode, Paris (April).
At the Salon d'Automne, shows some watercolors (October 10-November 11).
He is involved in numerous architectural projects for tourism and sports, such as:
-popular vacation hotels, from 80 to 500 rooms.
-stadiums, such as the first large stadium in the Principality of Monaco (Louis-II stadium) and a stadium to be built at Porte de Saint-Cloud for the 1937 International Exhibition.
Close collaboration with Ets Desagnat: René Crevel creates eight decorative panels made from an innovative industrial material developed by Gaston Desagnat: they constitute the first series of "Fresques Desagnat".
Exhibits two of these panels: Women with Birds and Women in the Bath, for the first time at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs (May 6-July 6).
At the exhibition L'Invitation au voyage at the Musée Galliera (May-October), he presents Nymphs/Frescoes Desagnat, which he has uniquely created. The SEAI, which organizes the annual competition at the Musée Galliera, awards him a silver plaque and a prize.
L'Illustration, then the world's leading magazine, commissions him to paint a fresco to decorate its stand at the Salon de la TSF held at the Grand Palais (September). He creates a large stylized allegory: The Five Continents Reading L'Illustration.
As designer and artistic director of Ets Desagnat, René Crevel leads many projects, for example, he designs the entire mural decoration of the famous Parisian brasserie La Pépinière (Place Saint-Augustin, 8th district).
The Fresco Women with Birds is publicly commissioned for the 1937 International Exhibition.
René Crevel at the International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques in Modern Life Paris, May-November 1937:
He, together with Camille Chevalier and Armand Néret, are chosen to build the Centre artisanal (annexe Maillot). Néret is appointed chief architect of the Class 9 Craft Industry, and René Crevel president of the artistic selection jury, in charge of choosing furniture and domestic objects to be made for the Exhibition.
As an architect, he makes a vital contribution one of the pavilions, the "Palais de l'Artisanat", which constitutes the hub of the Craft Center.
He is successful in Group V, Urbanism-Architecture thus:
Class 17, Town and Country Planning, he receives with Néret and Chevalier a Gold Medal for the "Community of the Craft Center",
Class 21, Works of Art. Public buildings and public use, chaired by Auguste Perret: he is awarded a Diploma of Honor for the "Pavilion of the Craft".
He is also successful in Group VII-Building: Class 31, Marble work, ceramics, assimilated coatings. He receives a Gold Medal for his decorations of artistic coatings Bernardaud & Cie.
Group VIII-Interior decoration and furniture: Class 43, Wallpapers: he receives a Diploma of Honor "as an author of models and creator for Isidore Leroy.