Bed (for Jane Renouardt residence, Saint Cloud, France) (Primary Title)
Lit soleil (sun bed) (no. 542AR-807NR) (Model Name)
Sun Bed (ref. 542AR-807NR), for Jane Renouardt residence, Saint Cloud, France (Former Title)
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, French, 1879 - 1933 (Designer)
Jules Deroubaix ( headboard) (Maker)
Ruhlmann et Laurent, French, 1919 - 1933 (Manufacturer)
In 1930 Jane Renouardt, a celebrated French stage actress and the director of the Théâtre Danou, commissioned this bed from Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Known as the Sun Bed, it is made of white oak and veneered in a highly polished Macassar ebony. Ruhlmann’s craftsmanship is evident in the dramatic pattern of the headboard. Ruhlmann’s records note that one of his craftsmen worked 252 1/2 hours to make this bed, which cost the incredible amount of 11,375 francs, about half of his annual salary. Another extravagant piece of furniture for Renouardt is an ebony and mother-of-pearl cabinet by Süe et Mare in this gallery.
Marked (headboard, back): Ruhlmann; (footboard, back)(twice): Ruhlmann; (footboard, bottom): B
Gift of Sydney and Frances Lewis
Lots of references in Curatorial File
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
