Opening of Maison La Roche, photo Peter Willi, October 1970 31st July 1968 – 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection Fortieth Anniversary of the setting up of the Fondation 15th April – 18th June 2008 Maison La Roche -

hile still only in his infancy With my wife’s agreement, I have “I here declare, for every eventuality, W as an architect and budding arranged to leave what I own to the that I leave everything that I possess artist, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret poor. to an administrative entity, the was already at an early age showing Now, what I own can at best be a will to achieve ambitious aims and used as something to light the fire “”, or any a desire to leave behind him signifi- with. Here at 24 rue Nungesser et other meaningful form, which shall cant traces of his endeavour that Coli (and even at 35 Sèvres in a become a spiritual entity, that is, would outlast his earthly existence. cellar), I have substantial archives a continuation of the endeavour “Let life be something with a goal of all kinds: drawings, writings, and not merely an arrow speeding notes, travel diaries, albums, etc. pursued throughout a lifetime. toward death” he wrote to his I don’t want some hooligan happily ” Le Corbusier parents in 1910 (1). pillaging it all, and destroying series Note dated 13 January 1960 whose value depends on their being Having become Le Corbusier, complete. without direct heirs and driven by In other words, we’ll have to take a the fear that his carefully conserved look at my archives so as to make archives and works be scattered the most of them (to sell them, or after his death, he spent the last give them to people, institutions fifteen years of his life conceiving or museums). and implementing, down to its Conclusion: the aim of this letter smallest details, the project of a is to set you thinking and to request Foundation that would bear his name. you – when the time comes –to take immediate possession, or rather, Already in 1949, he had written, immediate control of my archives, in a letter addressed to his friend so as to protect them from being Jean-Jacques Duval, for whom he wrongfully scattered. built the Duval factory in Saint-Dié: And the present letter, with my signature, is to be used as (1) Letter of 2 October 1910. One can conk out at any time of documentary proof, for whatever (2) 30 April 1949, quoted in Jean-Jacques life. I’ve been talking about it to my purpose it may serve. Duval, Le Corbusier, l’écorce et la fleur, brother who is here on a visit. With my friendship and my gratitude (2). Paris, Éditions du Linteau, 2006. “…we’ll have to take a look at my archives so as to make the most of them […]”.

Villa le Lac, Corseaux, photo Olivier-Martin Gambier, 2006

To pursue the question of the provisional deed of donation as a Early days Fondation Le Corbusier, I am sending sharp curb to take the wind out of you here the decisions taken with my any stranger’s sails. That’s what they Heavily involved in the big brother Albert on his visit last call the prudence and wisdom of building commissions that got under Sunday, 29 September. nations! way at the beginning of the fifties, Le 1°/ We have agreed that the little I mean this very seriously and I think Corbusier, although still concerned maison du Lac, and the land belonging it essential that these two steps with his project for a Foundation, no to it, which, as our father’s heirs, are should be taken right away - the longer had much time to devote to it. our jointly held property (under Swiss donation of the maison du Lac and law), could be made over directly to that of the house in the Square du It was only in 1957, shortly before his the Foundation, envisaged as having Docteur Blanche. 70th birthday, that he started thinking its legal business address in Switzer- about it again in more precise terms. land, to facilitate the succession or In making his project a reality, Le In a series of letters exchanged with the inheritance. Corbusier very rapidly sought the help of Gabriel Chéreau, a lawyer his friend the banker Jean-Pierre de 2°/ This little house would also be from Nantes and the legal consultant Montmollin, he requested the latter’s used as the “Fondation Albert who had defended him in the advice on determining the legal Jeanneret”, in which the consider- Marseilles trial and obtained for him status of the future Foundation. He able quantity of Albert Jeanneret’s the commission for the Unité d’habi- manuscripts would be conserved tation in Rezé. His job was to find an informed him of his intentions in a and which would be authorised to ideal legal set-up for the Foundation letter dated 1 October 1957. publish his musical works at any time and to draw up its statutes. Le in the future. Corbusier also called upon the skills of other outside experts, Alphonse 3°/ We need to find the relevant strat- Ducret, an engineer and the agem for divesting our two indivi- President of the Fédération duals, Albert Jeanneret and Le Internationale du Bâtiment, as well Corbusier, of the instant ownership as his lawyer, Maître Maguet. of the house (in case of one or the other’s decease), since we have no The archives left by Le Corbusier valid inheritors. attest to the increasing importance this project was taking in his life: 4°/ And what’s more, something that letters to his friends, to state officials, is always to be feared for old gentle- to foreign dignitaries; notes in his men of our age is falling into the carnets, various traces on sheets of clutches of femmes fatales with paper or cards (invitations, menus or exaggerated ideas about people’s programmes), texts typed in the fortunes and capable, with the Atelier, handwritten letters sent from talents Nature has given them, of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, meetings in twisting round their little fingers one the apartment in rue Nungesser et or other of the septuagenarians in Coli… question. In other words, use this

2 • 31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection On the roof of the Nantes-Rezé Unité d’Habitation, Gabriel Chéreau, José-Luis Sert, André Wogenscky, Le Corbusier, photo Lucien Hervé

but not adapted to the needs of the lities for locating the Foundation’s Groundwork future institution. headquarters. The different schemes Le Corbusier then began negotiations all included the Musée National d’Art Le Corbusier had begun by on two different fronts. On one hand, Moderne, where a large part of his defining his conception of the he succeeded in persuading his collection of paintings was deposi- Foundation’s missions at a very early friend Raoul La Roche, for whom he ted. Thus, in one of these schemes, stage, but he still had to draw up a had built the house in Square du he planned to present a selection of timetable of the legal steps needed Docteur Blanche and who had no works in (“Musée for it to become a reality at the direct heirs, to donate the house to Corbu”), with the Foundation’s secre- appointed time. There were now four the Foundation. On the other, in his tariat being housed in Maison La major points that were to focus all his talks with André Malraux on the Roche. Paintings, sculptures and attention and that of his friends. restoration and future attribution of drawings would have been stored by Villa Savoye, which had just been the Musée d’Art Moderne. The role • Their most immediate task was to saved from demolition, he proposed that this institution might play in the define a legal status, which would to turn it into an international centre project was the subject of numerous ensure both the Foundation’s coming housing the Fondation Le Corbusier. discussions with its two curators, into being and its permanence, and who had been closely following provide it with the necessary resources Le Corbusier’s work, Bernard Dorival for accomplishing its missions. The et Maurice Besset. main subject of his preliminary study was the tax question, but it also On 3 July 1959, after an exchange of confirmed the advantage to be gained letters lasting several months, Le from conceiving of the Foundation as Corbusier sent a handwritten letter to a testamentary body after the death La Roche to thank him for formally of its founder. To begin with, however, confirming the donation of his house this solution meant provisionally in Square du Docteur Blanche to the forming an association with the job of Fondation Le Corbusier. ensuring a transition/transfer in legal and material conditions that were On this occasion you and I are sound. accomplishing a material and moral act expressing our mutual respect • It was equally important to find and our faith in art. Your life and mine premises to house the different acti- alike have been inspired by it. vities of the Foundation. The project After my time, the Fondation Le required office accommodation for a Corbusier will prolong the research secretariat, exhibition and meeting Portrait of Raoul La Roche, I have devoted myself to; giving this spaces as well as a building for photo private collection foundation a roof will consecrate the stocking archives and a large collec- friendship that brought us together tion of works of art. The Foundation Between 1957, the year of the in a far-away and … heroic time. would have at its disposal the apart- conversation with La Roche about ment at 24 rue Nungesser et Coli and donating the house and 1964, when the the Maison du Lac at Corseaux, which transactions were finally concluded, were obviously part of its heritage, Le Corbusier studied several possibi-

31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection • 3 Picasso and Le Corbusier, visit to the Marseilles Unité d’Habitation building site, August 1949, photo FLC

In 1962 he was concerned by the fate For this purpose he desired to draw When the Association for the Fonda- of Maison Jeanneret, also located in up before his death the list of mem- tion le Corbusier was formed in 1962, Square du Docteur Blanche, and bers of the future Governing Board of new lists of names appeared, this whose links with Maison La Roche he the Foundation. The first list of names time for the management committee. wished to preserve. The house, appeared in 1961. It was constantly to From the outset it was decided that formerly occupied by his brother be modified, depending on his Raoul La Roche would be its Hono- Albert, was no longer part of the changes of mood, advice from others rary President. family heritage and was about to be and, with time, people just naturally involved in transactions in which Le dying off. Names were scribbled • Lastly, the Foundation was to Corbusier had no say. In the end, down in notebooks, lists exchanged encourage the recognition and the Maison Jeanneret, which today in letters. dissemination of Le Corbusier’s plas- houses the Foundation’s offices and tic creations. It was thus necessary its resource centre, was acquired In 1962 several prestigious foreign to draw up an inventory of pieces due in 1970 only, through the sale of a candidates were added to the names to become part of the Foundation’s painting by Picasso belonging to the of friends and close associates: collections and to contribute to Foundation’s collection. Boesiger, Gropius, Costa, Sert, Rogers, improving knowledge of this aspect Candilis, Nervi… Le Corbusier was of Le Corbusier’s work, which he • Le Corbusier then had to give the concerned to widen the circle of the considered to be unfairly neglected future Foundation the means to Foundation’s loyal supporters and by the public. achieve one of its main tasks, that of to obtain through an international In a note dated 6 November 1957, Le ensuring the handing on of his artistic network the support and the re- Corbusier therefore drew up a preli- and intellectual œuvre. sources needed to run it. minary inventory of pictures of his that were either in circulation, depo- sited in French or foreign galleries or museums, or stored in his studio. He planned to make “a list of 20 available pictures, representative of [his] pic- torial work, to be exhibited at the Paris headquarters of the Foundation”. And in the margin he added: “in maison La Roche, 20 of them could be hung.” This list was to be added to over the years through more or less detailed inventories of his personal collection, emphasizing both its variety and its unity (papiers collés, copper-plate engravings, tapestries, lithographs, enamels, etc.). He was troubled when paintings of his that had been deposited at the Musée National d’Art Moderne were returned to the Foundation in 1963, together with fifteen paintings by André Bauchant. Le Corbusier, “César (Limousin bull, champion in 1900)”, graphite, pastel on paper, He was also anxious to find fireproof signed and dated L-C Chandigarh 16th November 55, FLC 3634 housing for the plans of the Atelier at 35 rue de Sèvres.

4 • 31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection numerous large pictures and thou- An intellectual testament sands of drawings. (Without Le Corbusier having had to On 13 January 1960 Le Corbusier sent a note on the setting up of the attend to the question, the important “Fondation Le Corbusier”, addressed to “M. Ouvré, le principal de l’étude de museums and collections already Me Maguet, M. Gabriel Chéreau, M. A. P. Ducret”. A copy was also sent to own paintings by him: Bernard Anthonioz, Head of the Department of Artistic Creation and a member 1/ Two years ago, the Musée Na- of André Malraux’s Cabinet. This is a true intellectual testament, condensing tional d'Art Moderne in Paris opened into one document all his exchanges with the group of friends and experts he a room to house paintings, the “Salle had brought together for the project. Permanente Le Corbusier”, adjacent to that of Picasso, Braque, Léger, The only possible basis for the thus threatened with demolition. In Matisse, Rouault, etc… 2/ the “Fondation Le Corbusier” is a statute the space of a few days, two hun- Modern Art Museum in New York ; defining the Foundation’s pro- dred and fifty telegrams came 3/ the Stedelijk Museum in Amster- gramme, its material existence, its pouring on to the Minister’s desk dam ; 4/ the Tate Gallery in London intentions, its resources, etc... from all over the world to protest (= England’s Museum of Contemporary A Foundation is perhaps not the ideal against the vandalism of possible Art) ; 5/ the Modern Art Museum in form (? !). Here are my intentions : demolition. I myself knew nothing of Sao Paulo in ; 6/ the Museum in this, being away in India at the time). Basel; 7/ the Museum in Zurich. 1°/ […] Paintings by Le Corbusier also figure It is more than a year now since I took the decision to draw up the statutes of this Foundation and to define my personal attitude to the assets of all kinds that the statutes may bring to the future Foundation. Meanwhile, I have seen M. La Roche. An art enthusiast of the very highest order, he put together between 1922 et 1925, with my help, the La Roche Cubist collec- tion, which has since become so famous that its owner has already made arrangements that are characteristic of him. He has donated a third of it to the Musée du Louvre, an- other third to the museum in Basel, the remaining third being for the moment in his house at Square du Docteur Blanche. On an amicable, generous and perfectly natural foot- ing, it was thus agreed that, as a bachelor with no direct heirs, he would donate his house to the “Fondation Le Corbusier”, so that this house should become part of the Foun- dation’s assets and be used as its Paris office. (Let me make it clear here that no legal tie with the remai- ning third of his collection Le Corbusier, Typewritten note, 13th January 1960, page 2 is to be assumed).

(It should be pointed out here that The “Fondation Le Corbusier” will in in private collections […]. Substantial Maison La Roche in the Square du no way be condemned to living from international exhibitions organized Docteur Blanche was built between hand to mouth. At my death it will be by art collectives have been touring 1923 and 1925, by Le Corbusier and rich in indisputable values, both the world continuously since 1948, in Pierre Jeanneret. A direct conse- material and financial: capital cities in Europe, America, quence of this was the building of Japan, etc…, linking Le Corbusier’s Maison Savoye in Poissy, in 1928. A/ - My house on the shores of Lac pictorial endeavour with his archi- The latter has since come to be Léman, “Le Lac”; A1/ my home at tectural endeavour). considered as the decisive manifesto N° 24 rue Nungesser et Coli, 7th and in the emergence of modern archi- 8th floors ; and A2/ my little property C / - There remain the archives of the tecture after the First World War. This at Cap Martin. Le Corbusier Atelier, which have was confirmed by the Minister for been kept at 35 rue de Sèvres since Cultural Affairs in 1959, when he B/ - Paintings of the Cubist school: 1922. These are made up of an enor- classified Maison Savoye at Poissy Picasso, Braque, Léger, together mous mass of plans of all kinds pro- as an historical monument. This was with a large number of first rate duced over a period of forty years a spontaneous gesture on M. André Bauchants; in addition, Le Corbusier’s (published in the Girsberger series in Malraux’s part, subsequent to the pictorial work (deliberately kept in six volumes). expropriation of the villa, which was the dark for thirty years), made up of

31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection • 5 Le Corbusier, Taureau XIII, oil on canvas, 1956, 130 x 162. “Whitsun 56. Birth of the Minotaur”. FLC 167

D/ - In recent years, the most impor- My life has been made up of intense to the time of Hitler by a substantial tant publishers have brought out contacts with the needs of the time mass of partisans, numerous studies on the work and taking part in its struggles (in accomplished by Le Corbusier during worldwide-localised terms) and c) to enable, administratively spea- his career. Mme Helena Strassova, therefore of contacts and struggles king, the making of certain donations L-C’s literary agent, is actively en- with individuals of great potential, before my death. gaged in finding publishers for his encountered outside the family […] new books, in reprinting earlier ones circle. For more than twenty years I and in publishing translations in five have filed with Me Maguet’s firm a Le Corbusier then added a little or six different languages. More than series of wills which have changed “sticker” on which were noted the fifty books by L-C have come out. The according to circumstances. I here following: royalties already received and those declare, for every eventuality, that I due to be paid represent consider- leave everything I possess to an Social aim: able assets for the Foundation. administrative entity, the “Fondation Le Corbusier”, or any other meaning- To bring together and conserve after E/ - There remain lastly, as material ful form, which shall become a spir- his death the writings, paintings, and financial assets at the time of my itual entity, that is, a continuation drawings, engravings, tapestries, demise, what may have been left at of the endeavour pursued throughout collections and personal objects that the bottoms of drawers or what a lifetime. belonged to Le Corbusier. exists in the form of letters of credit, fees, bank accounts, etc…. 3°/ How is this Foundation to be To place at the disposal of all those made a reality? By the securing of all who should wish to consult them the F/ - To end with, there are more than my assets, these to be managed by a records of LE CORBUSIER’S work 20,000 photographs in the possession Foundation Committee made up of and research. of M. Lucien Hervé, photographer, certain friends, coming from different representing a huge and decisive backgrounds but all having under- To take all the necessary steps, in fund of documents. standing of my life’s endeavour. particular that of ensuring suitable […] premises, for the fulfilment of the 4°/ What may I hope for and what above-mentioned social aim, in 3°/ may I wish for from the men of law, conditions of the utmost dignity and notaries and lawyers? absolute independence. Aim of the Foundation : a) Firstly, to set out the moral, ma- To set up a “Le Corbusier Travelling a) To prevent these multiple assets terial and administrative statutes of Bursary”, so as to encourage the from becoming at the time of my the “Fondation Le Corbusier”, efforts of qualified young people. death the prey of bailiffs, lawyers and would-be heirs. I no longer have b) by a suitable legal deed, straight- From then on, it was this text that was any direct heir. My family, the forwardly, simply, without complica- to serve as a basis for drawing up the Jeannerets, will completely die out tions, to receive the donation made Foundation’s statutes. on the male side with the deaths of by my friend La Roche - this has only my elder brother, Albert Jeanneret, an episodic role to play, i.e. to give of myself and my cousin, Rudolf the protection of my name to that lit- Jeanneret, Professor at the Univer- tle house, a milestone in my work sity of Bern and President of the known the world over, one that was School of Dentistry in Bern. visited every Tuesday and Friday up

6 • 31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection An intermediary stage: the Association for the Setting up of the Foundation

In 1962, the frequency of contacts with the French Ministry for Cultural Affairs increased. Bernard Anthonioz devoted his ener- gies to furthering the project and continued to be the person Le Corbusier preferred to deal with. Michel Pomey, maître des requêtes for the Council of State and technical advisor on André Malraux’s depart- mental staff, was entrusted with Bernard Anthonioz, Jean Prouvé, Eugène Claudius-Petit, Le Corbusier, drawing up the statutes. He was to studio at 35 rue de Sèvres, January 1964, photo Lucien Hervé remain closely involved in the steps taken to set up the Foundation. is planned as an institution under On 30 August 1962, on holiday at private law, declared as being of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Le Corbusier On 3 September 1962, André Malraux public benefit, with the title made out a new handwritten will wrote to Le Corbusier confirming, as “Fondation Le Corbusier.” stating that “the draft statutes have promised, his intention of placing the The Foundation has yet to be set up; been drawn up by M. Malraux’s Villa Savoye at the Foundation’s this will take a certain amount of office” and that “the names of the disposal: time, as it will first be advisable to promoters of the Fondation Le Corbu- […] complete certain formalities and, by sier are inscribed (in a draft version) The “Villa Savoye” is State Property, a subscription in and abroad, to on page 27 of my “sketchbook” (a having been made over, together raise funds for the initial endowment. carnet of sketches and notes, always with the surrounding land, by the For this purpose, an association in my pocket) […] which will be town of Poissy to the Ministry of known simply as “Association for the numbered N° 67 […].” Education for the purpose of building Setting up of the Fondation Le a lycée. By virtue of a covenant Corbusier” is shortly to be formed, on The statutes of the Association for dated 23 October 1961, entered into the initiative of the former Minister the Foundation Le Corbusier were between my Department and the M. Claudius-Petit and with my approval. filed on 13 March 1963, its function Department of Education, it has been A possibility would be to place “Villa being to “prepare the setting up of an transferred to the Ministry for Savoye” at the disposal of this institution declared as being of Cultural Affairs and is, in principle, to Association to serve, for example, as public benefit, under the name of be placed at the disposal of an inter- its head office. Fondation Le Corbusier […], with the national centre for architecture. This […] job of bringing together, conserving and developing for the benefit of the public, the various constituent parts of Le Corbusier’s work entrusted to it and, until the setting up of the foun- dation, to act in its place in fulfilling its missions”. Its head office was transferred in 1964 to Maison La Roche, where it held its first general assembly on 6 February, three months before the definitive transaction making over Maison la Roche to the association.

Its founding members were: Maurice Besset, general director, appointed by Le Corbusier as his executor, assisted by Bernard Anthonioz, Jean Dubuisson, Alphonse Ducret et André Wogenscky. From this point on, working in liaison with Le Corbusier, the association’s job was to take over the missions to be assigned to the future Foundation: financial aid for researchers and for publications, requests for loans for exhibitions, requests for information of various kinds, etc. It would also continue the tasks already under way: making inventories of collec- tions, finding suitable premises, revi- sing the statutes, drawing up lists of Council Members, publishing news bulletins, etc.

Le Corbusier, L’Atelier de la recherche patiente, p. 93, 20th July 1962. On the cover of Le Corbusier’s copy, handwritten note : « Here p. 43. Savoye dedication by Mayor of Poissy. = Historical »

31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection • 7 Le Corbusier in his studio 24 rue Nungesser et Coli. Tapestry cartoon, The lioness and the rabbit, photo Felix H. Man 1951 Statutes of the Foundation

On 11 June 1965, Le Corbusier approved the draft statutes of the Foundation. It was these statutes, drawn up by Gabriel Chéreau, that (apart from one or two details, such as the Villa Savoye) were subsequently validated by the Conseil d’État. They have continued up to the present day to govern the running of the Foundation.

I - Aim of the society 2 - to maintain and manage to this Its existence shall be of unlimited end, in particular: duration. Article 1 - The institution known as a -the house known as “Maison La […] “Fondation Le Corbusier” has as its Roche” located at Paris 16e, 10 aim: Square du Docteur Blanche […] ; On 16 June 1965, Le Corbusier’s final b - the house known as “Les Heures will confirmed his intention of 1 - to receive, acquire, restore, « appointing as [his] sole legatee […] conserve and make known to the Claires” located at Poissy […] in order to make of it a centre for the Public Benefit Institution known public by all appropriate means as “FONDATION LE CORBUSIER”, set (exhibitions, publications, lectures, activities relating to the work of Le Corbusier. up or to be set up through the good conferences, films, etc.) the original offices of the Association registered works, notes, manuscripts, docu- in Paris known as “ASSOCIATION ments, properties and various 3 - by all appropriate means to encourage architectural research in POUR LA FONDATION LE CORBU- objects, including those handed over, SIER”, on the basis of the draft stat- bequeathed or made over to it by the sense defined by the written and built work of Le Corbusier. utes drawn up with [his] agreement Le Corbusier, by the “Association by the said association. » pour la Fondation Le Corbusier” or other third parties, being of interest 4 - in general, to perform all acts answering to the above-mentioned Le Corbusier died on 27 August 1965 for the knowledge and the propaga- at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. André tion of Le Corbusier’s thought and of aims, provided that the principle of disinterestedness is respected. Malraux appointed a working party in his plastic, architectural and literary his Ministry to assist the Association work. Article 2 - The Fondation Le Corbusier in rapidly setting up the Foundation. has its head office at Paris 16e - 10, Square du Docteur Blanche.

8 • 31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection The Foundation after Le Corbusier

In accordance with the provi- sions of Le Corbusier’s will, all admin- istrative, financial and legal steps after his death were to be taken by Maurice Besset, Jean-Pierre de Montmollin and André Wogenscky. They also had the task of bringing together the archives, works of art and documents left by the architect.

The Foundation’s inaugural meeting was held at the Salomon de Rothschild Foundation on 10 July 1967. The provisional assembly approved the statutes, accepted the succession and transfer of the Association’s properties, in particular Maison La Roche, and approved an application for a Declaration of Public Benefit. Having achieved its purpose, the Association formed to create the Foundation was then dissolved. In March 1968, at the request of the Conseil d’État, a few changes were made to the statutes with a view to obtaining the Declaration of Public Benefit. These mainly involved the appointment of trustees by the three electoral colleges: the Foundation, the Ministère des Affaires Culturelles and the Association Le Corbusier, later renamed Association des Amis de Le Corbusier. The Declaration was granted by decree on 24 July 1968. On André Wogenscky and Le Corbusier at Orly, 1958 the 31 July, publication in the Journal Officiel definitively established the existence of the Fondation Le Members appointed by the Associa- Jeanneret, now joined into one. Corbusier. tion of the Friends of Le Corbusier Numerous important figures were • Eugène Claudius-Petit, former present at the event, both French and The Association having finally ac- Minister, President of the Association foreign, and included architects and quired legal existence and its members of the Friends of Le Corbusier ambassadors representing countries being appointed, the Governing • Michel Bataille, Architect and Writer in which there were buildings by Le Board held its first meeting on • Charlotte Perriand, Decorator Corbusier. Guests included members 4 February 1970, in Maison La Roche. of CIAM, former associates of the At that date, the Board was made up At a meeting on 4 October 1971, the Atelier in the rue de Sèvres and as follows: Bureau was renewed. André owners and tenants of buildings by Wogenscky joined the Governing Le Corbusier. A tribute was paid to Members appointed by the Associa- Board and was elected as President Raoul La Roche, the “patron, collec- tion for the Fondation Le Corbusier in succession to Gabriel Chéreau. tor and great friend of Le Corbusier”, • Bernard Anthonioz, Head of the Michel Bataille replaced Fernand in the form of an exhibition compri- Department of Artistic Creation, Gardien as Deputy Treasurer. sing twenty-two items from his Ministry of Cultural Affairs collection, with works by Georges • Gabriel Chéreau, Lawyer, President On 23 October 1970, the headquarters Braque, Juan Gris, Fernand Léger, of the Foundation of the Foundation were officially Pablo Picasso, Amédée Ozenfant and • Lucio Costa, Architect opened in Maisons La Roche and Le Corbusier. • Jean Dubuisson, Architect • Fernand Gardien, Technician, Deputy Treasurer of the Foundation • Maurice Jardot, Director of the Galerie Louise Leiris • Louis Miquel, Architect, General Secretary of the Foundation • Jean-Pierre de Montmollin, Banker • Jean Prouvé, Architect and Engineer

The representative of the Minister of State in charge of Cultural Affairs

Members appointed by the Minister of State in charge of Cultural Affairs • Jean Chatelain, Director of the Musées de France, or his representative • Michel Denieul, Director of Architecture • Jean de Saint-Jorre, General Brochure published for the official opening of the Foundation’s premises, Inspector of Artistic Education 23rd October 1970

31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection • 9 The Fondation Le Corbusier today

Le Corbusier’s apartment, 24 rue Nungesser et Coli, photo Olivier Martin-Gambier, 2005

Missions, Opening to the public Maison La Roche and Le Corbusier’s initiatives, apartment – 24 rue Nungesser et Coli – are open to visitors all year round. programmes The Petite Maison at Corseaux (Switz- erland) is likewise open to visitors. Maison Jeanneret is daily open to Since the above date, the students and researchers. Foundation, in accordance with its The Foundation publishes conjointly statutes and its missions, has with the publisher Birkhäuser a devoted all of its resources to the series of guides to the buildings: conservation, knowledge and dis- L’Unité d'habitation de Marseille and semination of Le Corbusier’s work, in Rezé-les-Nantes, Berlin, Briey en Forêt, particular through the following Firminy, Les Maisons La Roche et initiatives: Jeanneret, Les Quartiers modernes Frugès à Pessac, La Villa Savoye, Le Couvent de la Tourette, La Chapelle de Ronchamp and l'Immeuble 24 Nungesser et Coli.

Le Corbusier, Millowners’ Association Building (ATMA), Ahmedabad, India, photo FLC 2008

10 • 31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection Conservation of the architectural work

Le Corbusier’s architectural work original work. At the same time, on of the architectural plans of all of covers four continents and eleven the basis of the committee’s recom- Le Corbusier’s built work. Secondly, it countries. It is the Foundation’s duty mendations, the Foundation can either has embarked on the systematic pho- to ensure respect for moral rights decide to authorize applications or to tographic coverage of his buildings over the work; it must contribute to its express reservations. throughout the world. The aim is to preservation. This obligation involves The Foundation ensures the conser- dispose of an exhaustive inventory of experts being sent regularly to advise vation of buildings bequeathed to it; these works at the start of the 21st owners, allocatees or occupants of it carries out rehabilitation work century. buildings executed by Le Corbusier. indispensable to conservation and In the same way, all restoration and respect for the buildings’ authenticity. In July 2008 substantial renovation development projects, including those work will begin in Maison La Roche; for executing architectural projects In addition to conserving and dissem- the interiors are to undergo full resto- by Le Corbusier are submitted to a inating the architectural work, two ration and be made to comply with committee of experts. Part of its role, further initiatives are programmed. visitor safety standards. in expressing its views, is to contrib- Firstly, the Foundation has under- ute to respect for Le Corbusier’s taken the preparation and publication

Maison La Roche, hall and dining room, photo Olivier-Martin Gambier, 2005

Le Corbusier, Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, study of stained glass windows, elevation, charcoal and coloured chalk on paper, dated 15.05.1951, FLC 30937

31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection • 11 The twenty-two works proposed for the World Heritage, photos FLC

World Heritage For similar reasons, the Foundation the Firminy site, the Immeuble locatif joined with the Ministry for Culture at Porte Molitor; in Germany, the Inscription and Communication in applying for Weissenhof houses in Stuttgart; in inscription of Le Corbusier’s architec- , Maison Guiette in Antwerp; tural and urban work on the UNESCO in Switzerland, Maison Jeanneret- World Heritage List. Six countries Perret at La Chaux-de-Fonds and have joined forces in this under- Immeuble Clarté in Geneva and, in taking: Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Argentina, the Dr. Currutchet House Japan, Switzerland and France. in La Plata.

The file was submitted by France to The World Heritage Committee’s the Unesco World Heritage Centre in decision is due to be made in July January 2008. Twenty-two major 2009. works by Le Corbusier are involved. These include: in France, Maisons La Roche and Jeanneret, Villa Savoye, Cité Frugès in Pessac, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp,

12 • 31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection Meetings Every year the Foundation organizes “Rencontres”, open to all those inter- ested in developing their knowledge of Le Corbusier’s work. Lectures are given by specialists. These events are also an opportunity to meet survi- ving eyewitnesses of the architect’s work. They have given rise to publications issued by the Foundation : La Conservation de l'œuvre construite de Le Corbusier (1990), Le Corbusier et la nature (1991), Le Corbusier et la couleur (1992), Le Corbusier, Écri- tures (1993), Le Corbusier : la ville, l'urbanisme (1995), Le Corbusier & la Belgique (1997), Le Corbusier, voyages, rayonnement international (1997), Le Logement social dans la pensée et l'œuvre de Le Corbusier (2000), Le Corbusier et Paris (2001), Le Corbusier, le symbolique, le sacré, la spiritualité (2003), Le Corbusier, l'œu- vre plastique (2004), Le Corbusier, la Suisse, les Suisses (2005). In 2006, the Rencontres were devo- Le Corbusier, Guitare verticale (1st version) oil on canvas, ted to “Biographical Moments”, held 1920, 100 x 81cm, FLC 174 at the Centre Culturel Suisse in Paris. In Rome, in 2007, they dealt with Le Corbusier’s links with Italy. Exhibitions The Foundation organizes exhibitions The Foundation also responds to Acquisitions in Maison La Roche. These contrib- requests from students and resear- La Foundation is concentrating its ute to knowledge of the man and his chers in need of information or acquisition policies on finding docu- work. Exhibitions of recent years wishing to obtain reproductions of ments – archives, manuscripts, include “Estampes à punaiser sur les documents for their work. correspondence, drawings, etc. – murs”, “Hommage à André Wogen- needed for a clearer understanding scky”, “Le Corbusier à Rio. Dessins The Resource centre contains all of of Le Corbusier’s life and work, giving des conférences de 1936”, photo- Le Corbusier’s published works, the particular attention to all documents graphs by René Burri and Lucien studies devoted to him worldwide retracing the origins of his architec- Hervé, “La peinture murale 35 rue de and his personal library. There are tural, theoretical and editorial work. Sèvres”. also more than 400,000 digitized documents available for consultation. Loans of works for exhibitions Much of the Foundation’s activity involves responding to requests from the organizers of exhibitions on Le Corbusier or on artistic trends of his time, through loans of works, objects and documents belonging to the collections. No payment is required for these loans. Financial support for Research The Foundation spends considerable sums encouraging and facilitating the work of researchers interested in Le Corbusier’s œuvre. Its Resource Centre is open daily to enthusiasts and specialists, research grants are available to young researchers, resi- dencies in Le Corbusier’s apartment, meetings and seminars are organized, and specialized studies published.

Le Corbusier, Marie Cuttoli, wool and silk weave, Aubusson 1936, 160 x 184

31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection • 13 Le Corbusier, Traces de pas dans la nuit, 1948-57, Picaud weave, Aubusson

Publications • Publication of the written work • Furniture issues and house fittings The Foundation ensures that books Since 1965, the Foundation and bene- published in Le Corbusier’s lifetime – ficiaries of the co-authors have in particular works belonging to the entrusted furniture issues to the firm collection L'Esprit Nouveau (Vers of Cassina Spa, sole licensee for Le une architecture, Urbanisme, L'Art Corbusier models and those pro- décoratif aujourd'hui, Précisions, duced in collaboration with Pierre etc.) or titles that are essential for Jeanneret et Charlotte Perriand. knowledge of his work: l'Œuvre com- These furnishings are part of the plète in eight volumes published by firm’s “I Maestri” collection. Willi Boesiger and Hans Girsberger, The Foundation also endeavours La Petite Maison, Le Poème de to issue models designed by Le l’Angle droit, etc. – are available in Corbusier but which have remained French. It equally encourages publi- un-issued, or to reissue models no cation in foreign languages. longer available. The Table La Roche The Foundation has also launched an and the Fauteuil wagon-fumoir were operation to publish Le Corbusier’s issued in 2006 as additions to the written work, texts as yet unpubli- range of metal furniture. A new range shed or that have not so far been of wood furniture will soon be avail- Le Corbusier, Poème de l’angle droit, published systematically: lectures, able. Electa reissue, 2007 correspondence and articles in reviews. Les Conférences de Rio, In addition to these furniture issues, with an introduction and notes by the dissemination of Le Corbusier’s Yannis Tsiomis, were published in Polychromie has been entrusted to 2006 by the publisher Flammarion. the Swiss firm kt. Color, which manu- factures and distributes Le Corbusier • Catalogue Raisonné of the drawn paints. These are faithfully repro- work duced on the basis of Salubra colour The Foundation has decided to charts and of research directly carried undertake production of a Catalogue out on the architect’s buildings, in Raisonné of Le Corbusier’s drawn particular during restoration of work. The steering committee is Maison Jeanneret-Perret at La acting as the contracting authority Chaux-de-Fonds, the Double Houses for the project and a scientific com- in Stuttgart and Maison La Roche. mittee has been set up. One of the scientific committee’s main tasks will • Tapestry Issue be to be to decide on inclusion of The Foundation will issue on request works in the catalogue. original tapestries made using the cartoons drawn by Le Corbusier. • Publication of plans Around fifteen titles, in different Le Corbusier, Une petite maison, In partnership with the publisher formats, are at present still available. Birkhäuser reissue Échelle 1, the Foundation has digit- Weaving is carried out at Aubusson ized all the plans produced by Le under the Foundation’s supervision Corbusier’s Atelier, altogether more and the works are delivered accom- than 35,000 documents, published in panied by a certificate of authenti- four boxed sets, each of four DVDs. city.

14 • 31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection Organisation / Network

Rencontres de la Fondation Conseil • Claude Prelorenzo d’Administration Committee of experts for the of 31 July 2008 architectural work • Bernard Bauchet, architecte • Jean-Marc Blanchecotte • The representative of the Minister for Culture and Communication • Jean-Louis Cohen • Pierre-Antoine Gatier, architecte en • Members appointed by chef des monuments historiques the Minister for Culture • Rémi Papillault and Communication • Claude Prelorenzo • Jean-Marc Blanchecotte, architecte, • Robert Rebutato, architecte chef du service départemental • Bruno Reichlin d’architecture de Paris, trésorier • Maria Salerno, architecte • Jean-Louis Cohen, architecte, • Jacques Sbriglio professeur d’histoire de l’architec- ture à New York University • Yannis Tsiomis, architecte, professeur à l’école nationale • Jean-Pierre Duport, préfet Publication of the writings: supérieure d’architecture honoraire, président de Paris Belleville persons in charge of the working parties • Members appointed by the Association des Amis Working party for furniture > Lectures de Le Corbusier issues • Timothy Benton • Dominique Claudius-Petit, • Claude Prelorenzo > Correspondence président de l’Association des Amis • Robert Rebutato • Rémi Baudouï, historien, • Hélène de Roche, psychothérapeute • Arthur Rüegg, architecte, professeur à l’IUAG de Genève • Hans Roth, biologiste professeur émérite de l’ETH, Zürich • Michel Richard > Articles • Members appointed by • Guillemette Morel-Journel, the Fondation Le Corbusier Catalogue raisonné of architecte DPLG, chercheuse à • Timothy Benton, historien de l’art, Le Corbusier’s drawn work l’ENSA de la ville et des territoires professeur à l’Open University de Marne-la-Vallée de Grande-Bretagne > Steering Committee • Christian Briend, conservateur • Christian Briend Adjudication of grants to en chef du patrimoine, cabinet des • Jean-Louis Cohen young researchers Arts graphiques du Musée national d’Art moderne, Centre Pompidou • Daniel Gervis • Rémi Baudouï • Rémi Duval, président-directeur- • Danièle Pauly • Jean-Louis Cohen général de l’Usine Duval • Jacques Sbriglio • Timothy Benton de Saint-Dié • Michel Richard • Françoise Ducros, historienne de l’Art, inspectrice de la création • Daniel Gervis, galeriste, > Scientific Committee trésorier-adjoint artistique • Timothy Benton • Michel Kagan, architecte, • Éric Lengereau, architecte, chef • Christian Briend professeur à l’école nationale du bureau de la Recherche archi- supérieure d’architecture • Christian Derouet, conservateur en tecturale, urbaine et paysagère, de Paris Belleville chef du patrimoine, musée national ministère de la Culture et de la d’Art moderne, Paris • Rémi Papillault, architecte, Communication professeur à l’école nationale • Françoise de Franclieu, • Antoine Picon, professeur à la supérieure d’architecture conservateur honoraire du Harvard University Graduate de Toulouse patrimoine, présidente du comité School of Design • Claude Prelorenzo, sociologue, • Giuliano Gresleri, historien de l’art • Patrick Leitner, architecte, chargé de cours à l’école nationale • Nadine Lehni, conservateur en professeur à l’école nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, chef du patrimoine, musée Rodin, d’architecture de Bordeaux secrétaire général Paris • Claude Massu, historien, • Bruno Reichlin, architecte, • Rainer Michael Mason, professeur à l’université Paris I professeur à l’Accademia di conservateur honoraire du cabinet Panthéon Sorbonne et INHA Archittetura della Svizzera Italiana des estampes du musée d’Art • Claude Prelorenzo de Mendrisio, et d’Histoire de Genève • Josep Quetglas, architecte, • Jacques Sbriglio, architecte, • Éric Mouchet, architecte professeur à l’école d’architecture professeur à l’école nationale • Danièle Pauly, historienne de l’art, de l’université polytechnique supérieure d’architecture professeur à l’école nationale de Catalogne de Marseille supérieure d’architecture de Paris- • Gilles Ragot, historien, professeur Val-de-Seine, responsable scienti- à l’école nationale supérieure fique du projet d’architecture de Bordeaux • Bruno Reichlin • Jacques Sbriglio • Stanislaus von Moos, historien • Catherine de Smet, historienne de l’art, professeur émérite de l’art, professeur à l’école de l’Université de Zürich supérieure d’Art de Rennes • Stanislaus von Moos

31st July 1968 - 31st July 2008 A Foundation and a Modern Art Collection • 15 La Fondation Le Corbusier

• President – Jean-Pierre Duport OPENING HOURS • General Secretary – Claude Prelorenzo Office Visits Apartement-studio • Director – Michel Richard Monday: 13h30 – 18h00 24, rue Nungesser & Coli • Administration – Christine Mongin Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 75016 Paris • Assistant, press relations – Paula 9h00/12h30 – 13h30/18h00 Wednesday: 9h00/12h00 De Sa Couto Friday: 9h00/12h30 – 13h30/17h00 Saturday: 9h00/12h00 • Switchboard – Anna Gortenuti Library Groups must book in advance • Architect – Bénédicte Gandini Monday to Thursday: 13h30/18h00 [email protected] • Archives and Exhibitions - Isabelle Friday: 13h30/17h00 Metro : Lines 9-10 Michel-Ange-Molitor Godineau Visits Maison La Roche • Information – Delphine Studer Monday: 13h30/18h00 Bus : Line PC - Porte Molitor Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: • Library – Arnaud Dercelles La Petite Maison – “” • “Writings” project – Sophie Bogaert 10h00/12h30 – 13h30/18h00 Commune de Corseaux Friday: 10h00/12h30 – 13h30/17h00 • “Catalogue raisonné of drawings” 1802 – Corseaux – Switzerland Saturday: 10h00/17h00 project – Gabrielle Mahn Tel. : + 41 21 925 40 11 Groups must book in advance • Reception Maison La Roche www.corseaux.ch and Apartement 24 NC – Claudia [email protected] Weigert, Sébastien Borg Metro: Line 9 - Jasmin Line 9-10 - Michel-Ange Auteuil Bus : Line 52 - La Fontaine-Mozart Line PC - Suchet-Raffet

The exhibition “31st July 1968 – 31st July 2008 – A Foundation and List of works a Modern Art Collection” is being held as part of the fortieth anniver- in the exhibition sary celebrations for the setting up of the Fondation Le Corbusier in Paris.

> HALL Femme dansant – 1954 Ozon II – 1940-1962 > SALLE À MANGER Le Corbusier - Joseph Savina Le Corbusier - Joseph Savina Polychrome wood mounted on iron Polychrome wood, signed and dated Nature morte au violon rouge base, signed J.S-L.C on base, undated on right side of base J.S-L.C 62 1920 54 x 31 cm 80 x 80 cm Oil on canvas, signed bottom right FLC 15 FLC 24 Jeanneret, undated 100 x 81 cm Traces de pas dans la nuit – 1948-1957 > PASSERELLE FLC 137 Picaud weave, Aubusson Signed bottom centre Le Corbusier, Nature morte – 1927-1957 Guitare verticale (2ème version) undated Le Corbusier - Joseph Savina 1920 226 x 298 cm Polychrome wood, signed and dated Oil on canvas, signed bottom left on base L.C-J.S 1957 1/5 Jeanneret, undated > GALERIE 97 x 72 x 40 cm 100 x 81 cm FLC 19 FLC 138 Marie Cuttoli – 1936 Wool and silk weave, Aubusson Panurge II – 1962 Nature morte – 1954 Signed and dated upper right Le Corbusier - Joseph Savina Picaud weave, Aubusson Le Corbusier 36 Polychrome wood, signed and dated signed bottom left 147 x 175 cm on right side of base J.S-L.C 62 Le Corbusier, undated 70 x 70 x 45 cm 226 x 230 cm Deux musiciennes – 1936-1937 FLC 23 Oil on canvas, signed and dated bottom right Le Corbusier 36-37 130 x 162 cm Project implementation FLC 151 • Supervision of works, documentary research, Delphine Studer Totem – 1950 • UNESCO and Maison La Roche Projects, Bénédicte Gandini Le Corbusier - Joseph Savina • Communications coordinator, Paula de Sa Couto Natural wood and iron, signed bottom • Project management, Christine Mongin right J.S et L-C, done in 1950 • Translation, Malcolm Stuart – Frames, installation, Éric Galliache H : 12,2 x L : 52 m x l : 40 cm • Digitization, printing, Tribvn – Graphic design, Bernard Artal FLC 8

FONDATION LE CORBUSIER 8-10 square du Docteur Blanche - 75016 Paris Tél. : 01 42 88 41 53 - Fax : 01 42 88 33 17

www.fondationlecorbusier.fr © FLC-ADAGP - Imprimerie Peau May 2008