Franck Chartrain
Artist Spotlight | | Franck Chartrain working in his studio. Image courtesy of the artist. | | Franck Chartrain (b. 1971) is a French artist, designer, and master metalsmith whose work moves fluidly from audacious sculpture to functional object. A graduate of the prestigious Les Compagnons du Devoir program and a mentee of Xavier Lalanne, Chartrain belongs to a lineage of rigorous French craftsmanship. His practice is marked by an intentional and earnest engagement with his materials, as each piece is conceived, engineered, and patinated by hand. Chartrain's approach, while informed by historic metalworking techniques, pushes the medium toward new formal and technical possibilities. | Franck Chartrain, Meteorites coffee table, 21st c. Hand-hammered bronze, iron. 62.6" w x 16.15" d x 38.6" h | After beginning a career in teaching, Chartrain, in collaboration with his wife, Angelique, established studios in the United States (2002) and the Loire Valley (2009). Through both outposts, he continues to develop his aesthetic vision, impeccable execution, and the research-driven processes that underpin his work. | Franck Chartrain, Epure side table, 21st c. Textured slate, steel, and 24k gold leaf. 14.17" w x 14.17" d x 17.32" h | In 2012, he introduced The Franck Chartrain Collection, a body of decorative and sculptural objects distilled from over fifteen years of artistic interrogation. Mining a range of movements from Art Deco to Post-Modernism to Surrealism, these works are marked by sculptural intentionality, exacting detail, and a vast range of bespoke finishes that balance discipline with experimentation. | Franck Chartrain, Astres sideboard, 21st c. Bronze, hand-hammered steel. 79" w x 18" d x 40.5" h | Chartrain’s workshop, Métier d’Art, was recently designated as an Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant ( or “Living Heritage Company”) by the French government, an honor reserved for ateliers demonstrating exceptional mastery and continuity of craft. Chartrain has worked closely with scores of renowned interior designers, including Jacques Garcia, Agence Alberto Pinto, Victoria Hagan, Peter Marino, and Philippe Starck; and his work has been featured in the pages of Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Marie Claire, and Dezeen, among many others. | Franck Chartrain, Epure mirror, 21st c. Hammered iron, 24k gold leaf. 24.5" w x 36" h | Chartrain is a recurring presence at prestigious international art and design exhibitions, including Révélations and Maison & Objet in Paris, and the International Fine Art & Antique Show in New York City. Chartrain’s work has been commissioned for Cartier boutiques in the U.S., the Boucheron flagship in Paris, and private residences across Europe and North America, including Paris, Aspen, New York, Canada, and Italy. | | Franck Chartrain, Eclat lamp, 21st c. Hand-engraved polished bronze. 6" w 4.5" d x 16" h | | | | |
