Georges de Feure (6 September 1868 - 26 November 1943)

Georges de Feure photo by Marcel Schwob

Georges de Feure (real name Georges Joseph van Sluÿters, 6 September 1868 – 26 November 1943) was a French painter, theatrical designer, and industrial art designer in the symbolism and Art Nouveau styles.

De Feure was born in Paris. His father was an affluent Dutch architect, and his mother was Belgian. 
In the 70s, the family had to move to the Netherlands due to the Franco-Prussian war, and they were back to Paris in the 80s. 

In 1886, de Feure was one of the eleven students admitted at the Rijkscademievoor Beeldende Kunsten(Royal Academy of Arts) in Amsterdam, but he left for Paris in 1889 since he felt that formal academic training had nothing to offer him. Being of very independent nature, de Feure never again took up formal artistic studies, and forged his own independent path.

Georges de Feure lived in Montmarte, and became part of the bohemian community. Later he would become friend of Claude Debussy, Erik Satie and Maurice Ravel.

His main subject was woman, not any woman in particular, but woman as an ideal, as an existence, beautiful yet anxious, sometimes he even put them in menacing environment to show their anxiety. ​

In 1890, Georges was recognised by French painter Puvis de Chavannes as one of the most important painters of French Symbolism movement.

La Botaniste. Pastel, 1896

La femme à l'oiseau. Lithographie, 1901

Between 1890 to 1900, Georges de Feure was not only painter, but also poster designer and illustrator. He was influenced by Jules Chéret in his posters for the café concert but most likely was never his pupil.

La Princesse Ysldin. Gouache, 1890

Le Suiveur. Gouache, 1890

Facade of Pavillon de l'Art Nouveau à l'Exposition Universelle de Paris. 1900

Double sofa designed by Georges de Feure for Pavillon de l'Art Nouveau

 « un des ensembles décoratifs les plus exquis et parfaits que notre époque ait créés »

-Gabriel Mourey on the interiors designed by Georges de Feure, for la revue Les Arts décoratifs

From 1900, the career of the artist took a different direction. Samuel Bing (1838-1905), founder of the House of Art Nouveau, asked him to design the facade of the Pavilion of Art Nouveau at l'Exposition Universelle de 1900 and later also some part of the interiors as well as some furniture. This is the beginning of a fruitful collaboration, Georges de Feure would design not only furniture but also vases and jewellery.

Afterwards, Georges de Feure also worked for newspapers, created theatre designs for Le Chat Noir cabaret and posters.

In August 1901, de Feure was nominated Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur for his contribution to the decorative arts.

In 1903, there held a retrospective exhibition in Paris of Georges de Feure, and after that he went to Hambourg and La Haye.

Fumeuse. Gouache, vers 1900

Fumeuse. Gouache, vers 1900

Fumeuse. Gouache, vers 1900

During the first 10 years of 20th century, he continued his decorative design, and his style slowly evolved from Art Nouveau to that of Art Deco.

During the First World War, he moved to London where he designed costumes and set for the theatres.

In the 1920s, he was artistic adviser for the shops of French haute couturiere Madeleine Vionnet. ​

In 1943, Georges de Feure died in poverty at the age of 75 years in the occupied Paris.

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Further interest

Article

• George de Faure biography on Macklowe gallery