Roger Capron is best known for his geometrically complex, vibrantly colored tile-topped coffee tables. These mid-century furnishings, with their comely palettes and playful arrangements of abstract forms or natural-world motifs, are approachable yet sophisticated. They draw on Scandinavian modernism and exemplify the Parisian ceramist’s belief in ensuring that things of beauty are easily and widely accessible, a principle espoused by French decorative artist and designer René Gabriel.
Capron graduated in 1943 from the School of Applied Arts in Paris. In a small atelier he later founded with Robert Picault and Jean Derval in Vallauris, Capron made alluring sculptures, table lamps and other objects and found inspiration in the work of Pablo Picasso, who had also opened an atelier in the region. He parted ways with his fellow ceramists in 1952 in order to open his own manufactory, Atelier Capron.
Initially staffed by a handful of workers, Atelier Capron captured international attention. His pieces were sold in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Gimbels. Later, Capron’s wife, Jacotte, studied art and became a valued collaborator. Owing in part to her expertise in mixing pigments and glazes, Capron’s best-known ceramics feature dazzling colors and whimsical characters. Like Picasso, he experimented with many artistic styles and never settled on one technique for too long. His coffee tables, side tables and decorative objects are among the most enduring and coveted designs of the mid-century modern era.
While Capron’s factory had grown tenfold by 1980, it shut down a few years later after a slew of competitors began mass-producing cheaper imitations.
Capron won an award at the Milan Triennial in 1954 and International Grand Prize for Ceramics in 1970. His works have been displayed in the Musée National de la Céramique and the Musée Magnelli.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Roger Capron ceramics, tables and other decorative objects and furniture.
Roger Capron Portfolio: Fourteen Compositional Studies for a Wall Mural, 1984
By Roger Capron
Located in New York, NY
A portfolio of fourteen individually numbered and signed compositional studies by French ceramic artist Roger Capron (1922-2006), for a proposed ceramic mural, dated November 1984. ...
Paper
Unique Gold Leaf Artwork, Roger Capron, Vallauris c. 1990
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Roger Capron's talent as an illustrator takes on its full scope in this extremely rare gold leaf work from the 1990s when he explored new forms of artistic expression. The technique...
Glass
$1,950
H 23.75 in W 18 in D 0.1 in
"Standing Male Nude, " Study for Mural by Allyn Cox, U.S. Capitol Painter
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This strong and confident drawing of a standing male nude was made by Allyn Cox, probably for one of an array of murals he painted in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, starting with an series of paintings for the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library at UCLA in 1925. Son of Kenyon Cox...
Paper
Male Nude Study in Pencil 1940s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Nude Study in Pencil, Europe, 1940s. Beautiful and well drawn study with a male nude kneeling. Wonderful atmosphere and very elegant. At the underside of the paper there are also a few other drawings of...
Paper
Vintage Signed and Framed Artwork of Garden Flowers.
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Artwork on paper within Gold Toned Frame. Possibly Pencil and WaterColor. Signed on a Leaf at the Bottom as Pictured.Frame has Board Backing. Vintage Condition Consistent wit...
Wood, Paper
Parmigianino Figural Ink Study
By Parmigianino
Located in New York, NY
Lombard School ink figural study of the Three Graces inscribed "Le Parmesan," and "Ecole Lombard." Pen and brown ink. Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, Il Parmigianino (1503-1540.) P...
Paper
$28,000
H 13.39 in W 34.41 in D 0.99 in
Roger Capron “Les Poissons” , Rare Gilt Lead Wall Sculpture, France, circa 1968
By Roger Capron
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Roger Capron “Fish” Gilt Lead Wall Sculpture for Hôtel Byblos, France, circa 1969 Created for the Hôtel Byblos in Saint-Tropez, France, and made in ...
Lead, Gold Leaf
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.5 in W 11.25 in D 0.1 in
"Nudes Among the Ruins, " Vivid Mural Study with Male Nudes by Allyn Cox
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This sun-drenched scene, drawn with a vivid palette of bright Mediterranean blues and chalk whites, shows a pattern of gridding by the artist, indicating that this drawing served as ...
Paper
"Frolic on Horseback, " Mural Study w/ Nudes by Kenneth MacIntire
By Kenneth Stevens MacIntire
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Best known for his masterful painting of horses and polo players for a Hollywood clientele, this important study -- marked off in a grid to help the painter transfer the image to a large canvas -- was drawn by Kenneth Stevens MacIntire, a California painter. His depiction of male and female nudes on...
Pencil, Paper
"Nude Male and Draped Female, " Study for Painting by Dunbar Beck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Always a master draftsman, this lovely drawing by Dunbar Beck demonstrates his mastery of the human figure, with antecedents in Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The drapery ...
Pencil, Paper
Vintage Ivan Jordell Abstract Pastel On Paper Artwork
By Ivan Jordell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Ivan Jordell Abstract Pastel On Paper Artwork New Mat with original frame. Image Size: 10" x 12"
Paper
Selection of Black and White Nude Artwork
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of black and white nude artwork from various artists, American, circa 1950s. From left to right, as seen in the first photo, they are: 1) The k...
Paper, Wood
Tony Orrico "Penwald: 1: 1 Circle" Artwork
By Tony Orrico
Located in Chicago, IL
Original body-drawn artwork by artist, Tony Orrico from his Penwald series (ed. 1/8, each unique, derived from live performance). Signed by the artist, all acid-free/archival materia...
Paper
$16,500
H 28 in W 28 in D 1 in
"Biscayne Holiday", Important Final Study for Seminole Painting by Eugene Savage
By Eugene Francis Savage
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large and important, this drawing is the final study for "Biscayne Holiday," one of the famed Seminole paintings created by Eugene Savage starting in 1935 during his first visit to F...
Paper
Roger Capron Decorative Ceramic Plaque
By Roger Capron
Located in Grenoble, FR
Roger Capron decorative ceramic plaque.
Ceramic, Wood
$2,284 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 7.09 in
Roger Capron Set of 7 Ceramic Plates with Stylized Birds, Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Unusual ceramic with birds decor set of 7 plates (diameter 18 cm). As wall decoration or dessert plates. Signed Capron Vallauris on back. Manufactured, circa...
Ceramic
$3,655
H 31.89 in W 13 in D 0.4 in
Amour, Délice, Orgue by Roger Capron, Glazed Ceramic Wall Plaque, Vallauris
By Roger Capron
Located in Uccle, BE
Glazed ceramic wall plaque with mat and shiny decoration in black, white, gray, blue and ox blood. 3 words are inscribed “Amour, Délice et Orgue” (Love, Delight and Organ). The 3 w...
Ceramic