Henri Navarre (1885-1971), sculptor of light

Henri Navarre (1885-1971) and the Art of Fire

Henri Navarre is one of the great sculptors, glassmakers, ceramists, and medalists of the 20th century. Yet, no reference work has previously been devoted to him. While the works of his contemporaries such as Lalique, Marinot, Colotte, and Decorchemont are popular with discerning collectors, we felt it was appropriate to shine a spotlight on the artist's work.

During his long career, Navarre (a member of the Institute) crafted more than a thousand vases and other shaped pieces in glass using the most innovative techniques, primarily during the Art Deco era. His works are exhibited in the most prestigious institutions around the world (MET NYC, Corning Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, V&A Museum, MAM Ville de Paris, Musée du verre François Décorchemont, etc.).

He also participated in the decoration of the ocean liner Ile-de-France, with monumental vases, a fountain, and a glass Christ that can still be admired in the bell tower of the Sainte-Catherine church in Honfleur. As a sculptor, he created two metopes for the Palais de Chaillot in Paris and sculptures that are still part of the decor of the current Musée de l'Immigration.

More discreet, his work as a medalist also deserves to be brought out of the shadows, for the elegance of his engraving and the diversity of his inspiration, as evidenced by the surprising illuminated portico, created for the store of La Monnaie de Paris and now in its collections.

Shortly before his death, Henri Navarre bequeathed his studio collection to the City of Chartres (Eure-et-Loir) as well as voluminous unpublished archives, which allowed the author to expand the scientific corpus of this abundantly illustrated work. The publication of the book is all the more relevant given that the Chartres Museum of Fine Arts is permanently presenting a "Navarre exhibition," destined to become one of the new museum's major focuses.

Navarre's work could not find a better setting than the former episcopal palace, at the foot of Notre-Dame, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a stone's throw from the International Stained Glass Center, the glass work of the "sculptor of light" resonates with and shares the artist's medieval masters of the art of fire.

To accompany this lecture, a new exhibition showcase presents five exceptional works by the artist from July 11 to September 11. This is a rare opportunity to see three vases from the 1920s brought together with two sculptures: the Head of Hermes and the Mask of the Beatitudes.