French, 1910–1964

Jouve was a French ceramicist in Fontenay-sous-Bois, France. Growing up in a family of architects and decorators - he went on to study at the prestigious École Boulle in Paris where he learned sculpting. During World War II, he was imprisoned by German forces and was able to escape and hide out the rest of the war at a potters’ village in the South of France known as Dieulefit. After the war in 1944, he returned to Paris and opened his own studio in and went on to exhibit at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs in Paris, the Association Française d'Action Artistique in Rio de Janeiro, and many other exhibitions around the world. He is considered one of the most important modernist ceramicists of the 20th century. He was a prolific potter during the height of his career and is known for his unique formal techniques and imaginative concepts which are based in traditional techniques from Southeastern France. He was also among the likes of Noguchi, Perriand and Prouvé at retailer Steph Simon. After his death, his wife was responsible for the continued legacy of the late artist and sharing his works with top dealers around the world.