Pierre Paulin -French (1927-2009)

Born in Paris in 1927, Pierre Paulin grew up under the inspiration of his two uncles. His paternal uncle, Georges Paulin, invented the Eclipse mechanical folding roof system in the 1930s and worked for the greatest coachbuilders of the day, then with Peugeot, Bentley and Rolls Royce. This allows his nephew to realise the contentment gained from creation. His second major influence was his great-uncle Freddy Balthazar Stoll, who was a sculptor. His work fired Pierre’s imagination and stimulated his sensitivity to art.

The avant-garde designs by Pierre attracted the patronage of French presidents Georges Pompidou and François Mitterrand, for whom he remodelled parts of the Elysée Palace. Following numerous exhibitions and publications, Pierre expressed his desire to produce works that had never been manufactured before. When he passed away in 2009, he was fulfilled and at peace: his œuvre had finally gained due recognition and his designs would live beyond him.