Mathieu Mategot
Mathieu Matégot (1910–2001)
Mathieu Matégot was a Hungarian-born French designer and artist, celebrated for his innovative use of materials and his pioneering technique, Rigitulle, which combined metal tubing with perforated sheet metal.
Born in Tápió-Sully, Hungary, Matégot studied at the School of Fine Arts and Architecture in Budapest from 1925 to 1929. He began his career creating stage designs for the Hungarian National Theatre before traveling to Italy and the United States. Settling in Paris in 1931, he worked in various creative roles, including set design for the Folies Bergère and window dressing at Galeries Lafayette.
During World War II, Matégot volunteered for the French army but was captured and held prisoner in Germany. While imprisoned, he worked in a factory manufacturing mechanical accessories, where he learned the potential of sheet metal. This experience led to his development of Rigitulle, a technique that allowed metal to be shaped with the delicacy of fabric.
After the war, Matégot established a workshop in Paris, later expanding to Casablanca. He produced handcrafted furniture using materials such as metal, rattan, glass, and Formica. His designs were known for their clever, practical, and amusing qualities, often produced in limited editions of 200 pieces.
Among his most iconic creations are the three-legged Nagasaki Chair (1954) and the Copacabana Armchair (1955–56), both made of steel tubing and perforated sheet metal. These pieces are now part of the design collections at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
In the early 1960s, Matégot shifted his focus to tapestry, becoming a leader in the modern movement of French tapestry. His works are characterized by abstract designs and a restrained color palette. Notably, three of his tapestries are displayed in the National Library of Australia, glowing like jewels in the marble-clad foyer.
Matégot's legacy continues to influence contemporary design, with his innovative techniques and artistic vision remaining relevant today.