Max Ingrand1908 - 1969

e Tokyo), in Paris completed in 1937. These private commissions also included stain glass-work for churches, Sainte-Agnes, Maisons Alfort and a contribution to the design of the Notre Dame Cathedral in 1937. Throughout his stained glass works Ingrand integrated his love of medieval art with a modern aesthetic, implementing radiant colour to create an iconography that was equally universal as contemporary.  Ingrand's increasing interest in glass and light inevitably led to the design of small-scale interior light fixtures. In 1954 he became the artistic director of the Italian lighting and design company Fontana Arte, a company who were reputed for commissioning some of the greatest designers of the period including Gio Ponti and Pietro Chiesa. During his time there - he held the position until 1967 - he developed many of the designs that would become true classics and remain popular products for the company to this day. Amongst these creations was the 2127 ceiling light formed as layers of floating glass. Ingrand's design aesthetic incorporates both abstract and organic forms, merging the two to create stylised and idiosyncratic designs. His elegant wall mounted lights, the 'Le Cozze' sconces, Model 1552 with their thin sliver-like shaped clear Murano glass panels, held in brass mounts or the more organic Model 2093, which is formed almost as a tulip shape opening to reveal the layered frosted glass centre and fluid undulating edges.  He was awarded the French Legion of Honour in 1969, and in the same year Ingrand died unexpectedly in Paris from influenza.