French designer Roger Capron, 1922
Capron was born in Paris in 1922. After graduating from the Ecole des Arts Appliques in Paris he eventually became a professor at the school. In 1947, he moved to a small town near Cannes: Vallauris, well known for its ceramics production. Shortly after his arrival, he purchased a factory which produced ceramic items for the home.
In 1948, Pablo Picasso began to work ceramic in Vallauris and to brought international media attention. Before long, Vallauris became the city of renewal in ceramics.
Capron befriended Pablo Picasso and this friendship certainly liberated his creativity. He created what is now known as the "free forms" style in ceramics, introducing modern biomorphic shapes and he worked on colours with bright and colourful glazes on vases, platters and wall tiles. He also produced a popular line of tile topped coffee tables that became symbolic of the south of France "art de vivre".
Today, Capron continues to create and, for almost 12 years now, produces with his wife Jacotte, figurative ceramic art sculptures.
Capron ceramics are among the most sought after collectibles in the mid-century market.