Serge Mouille was an enlightening presence of the Mid-Century Modern design and one of the most outstanding French light designers of all time. His minimalist aesthetic, combining streamlined shapes with the vibrant luminosity of both metal and light, contributed to a body of work that still maintains its timeless appeal
Bio
Serge Mouille (1922-1988) was attracted to the sculpture field for the first time. His admission to the Master Silversmith Diploma at the School of Applied Arts in Paris at the young age of 15 was a symbol of his fascination and passion for architecture. Mouille continued to work as an apprentice under Gilbert Lacroix (who was also his mentor during his student days) following his graduation in 1941. By the following decade, Mouille had set up his studio and began designing a wide range of lamps and sconces with unique minimal and undulating metal designs soon afterward. He died on December 25, 1988 in Monthiers, France.
Style
Serge Mouille’s sculptural, minimalist lighting fixtures continue to appear in trendy interiors. Mouille’s models have not aged a day since they were first published in 1953, they are flexible and elegant, new, and expressive. Mouille’s work has not been produces in large scale, so relatively very costly to find originals. His family recently started making new editions of the most popular designs, using the same fabrics, molds, and equipment as the originals. He aimed for a kinetic, sculptural style that evoked a sense of spatial movement. He also claimed that his lighting fixtures were “a reaction to the Italian models that began to invade the market in 1950,” and that he considered being “too complicated.” His designs from this period were shown primarily at the Steph Simon Gallery in Paris.
Masterpieces
Throughout the 1950s, Mouille built large, flat, insect-like wall lamps with multiple arms and smaller, more curved wall sconces and some standing lamps.
