Ludwig Vogelgesang

Master of materials

• Ludwig became a Master of Art in 2010
• One of his specialisms is using shagreen, stingray leather
• He won the Prix Liliane Bettencourt pour l'intelligence de la main in 2019

Growing up in Austria, Ludwig Vogelgesang always had a passion for manual work, which led to an interest in restoration. Discussing the idea with his parents, his father told him that if he wanted to do something he had to do it where it was done best, so Ludwig took his advice and headed to Paris, despite not speaking a word of French. He arrived with a list of addresses where he could ask for training. The last address on his list accepted him and he began to train in the restoration of 18th century French furniture. “That gave me the base and the traditional knowledge from which to create original pieces,” he says. Today, Ludwig both makes original creations and restores old pieces.

Interview

©Jacques Pépion

©Jacques Pépion

When did you set up your own workshop?

We opened our workshop in 1980 and were lucky to open at a time when there was an important upsurge in the popularity of Art Deco furniture. That meant there were collectors who understood and sought out restoration experts.

What are your particular specialisms?

Shagreen and straw marquetry. But in fact, we must master all materials related to the restoration of furniture. First we have to understand them, and then find solutions for how to work with them and how to allow their characteristics to be properly expressed.

Where do you look for inspiration?

When you are passionate about something your eyes are constantly open everywhere you go, capturing certain moments and interesting ideas. This mostly occurs within nature, because nature is key to a surprising number of things. You just need to look, adapt and then transform.

What are your latest developments?

Lately we have created an amazing method for working with charcoal, which is an extremely fragile product. Also we recently won an award for Argo, a protective crib made of fine walnut, covered with projected fused copper, carefully combined to shield an infant from damaging electromagnetic waves.

Ludwig Vogelgesang is a master artisan: he began his career in 1974 and he started teaching in 2010

Works

©Jacques Pépion

©Jacques Pépion

©Jacques Pépion

Where