The Remarkable Parcours of Max Le Verrier, Art Deco Icon

Discover the fascinating parcours of Max Le Verrier: a man who defies the skies, survives captivity, and grows into an icon of Art Deco. See how, with courage, craftsmanship, and an eye for beauty, he creates timeless bronze sculptures that are still admired worldwide today.
A story full of adventure, art, and timeless elegance.

The parcours of Max Le Verrier reads like a novel

Louis Octave Maxime Le Verrier is born on January 29, 1891, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, into a family of Parisian goldsmiths. His father, Victor Le Verrier, runs a prestigious gold- and silversmithing house specializing in artistic luxury objects.

As a boy, Max spends much time in the workshops, where he watches his father transform sketches into refined silver artworks. This environment fuels his passion for drawing and sculpture, as well as his eye for detail – qualities that later make his Art Deco sculptures so distinctive.

His mother, Malvina Van Schoor, comes from a Belgian family of furriers and milliners. After his parents’ turbulent divorce, Max experiences a restless youth but also develops a strong desire for independence.

Youth and education: a creative foundation

Max studies at the progressive École des Roches, where discipline and creativity go hand in hand. The education is strict yet liberating, strengthening both body and mind. He excels in drawing, mathematics, and languages, and it soon becomes clear that his heart belongs to art.

His father, however, has other plans and sends him to agricultural schools in Saint-Sever and La Réole. Agriculture promises a golden future in times of colonization, but Max feels out of place. After his father remarries in 1907 to a much younger woman, Max breaks ties at sixteen and chooses his own path.

From that moment, the extraordinary parcours of Max Le Verrier begins: a journey full of detours, challenges, and opportunities, taking him from street trading and mechanics to aviation, and from prisoner of war to internationally renowned Art Deco sculptor.

From street trade to aviation pioneer

His early career is eclectic: greengrocer, fur supplier, electrician, and mechanic. These technical skills open doors to England, where he discovers the emerging world of aviation. There, he works as a mechanic for planes and engines.

By 1913, he also becomes a pilot and earns his license in a Caudron aircraft. When World War I breaks out, he joins the French Air Force. His missions demand courage and precision.

War hero and prisoner of war

On May 26, 1915, Max is shot down near Douai. His gunner later dies of wounds, while Max himself is captured and taken to a German camp in Münster. There, he finds solace in sculpting.

His mother sends him clay and tools, and he sculpts portraits and small figures of fellow prisoners. These are his first steps toward becoming a professional artist.

Artistic rebirth in Switzerland

Max contracts tuberculosis and, in 1917, is interned in Aigle-Leysin, Switzerland. There he meets sculptors such as Pierre Le Faguays and Marcel-André Bouraine. He studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva and creates terracotta statuettes and reproductions that he successfully sells – his first commercial successes.

After the war, at the age of 28, he returns to civilian life. With few resources but great independence and a deep love for sculpture, he decides to become a sculptor.

Paris: art, family, and social engagement

In Paris, Max begins his artistic career in a rented studio. In 1920, he marries Jeanne Hubrecht, an intelligent and cultured woman who supports him throughout his life. Together, they engage in associations against racism and totalitarianism.

Their family grows with the birth of sons Jean-Paul and Bernard, though their daughter Sylvie tragically dies a week after birth.

The breakthrough: icons of Art Deco

The 1920s and ’30s are Max Le Verrier’s most productive years. His works embody the elegance and strength of Art Deco. Most are cast in Art Metal, a metal alloy with his signature green patina.

Famous works include:

• Clarté lamp: an elegant female figure raising a glass globe, symbolizing light and hope.
• Panther Baghera: a dynamic, stylized animal, epitome of movement and strength.

His sculptures sell worldwide and remain highly sought after by collectors of authentic Art Deco pieces.

A distinctive signature in Art Deco sculpture

What sets Max Le Verrier apart is his ability to combine stylized forms with vivid realism. His figures – dancers, athletes, and animals – radiate energy while remaining balanced in form and composition.

He mainly works in Art Metal and bronze, sometimes combined with marble or onyx. His signature green patina gives his sculptures a soft yet luxurious look. In his own foundry, he supervises every stage of the casting process.

Beyond figures and animals, Max also creates refined Art Deco lamps that merge sculpture and functionality. His most famous lamp, Clarté, perfectly illustrates this: a work of art that is both a light source and a centerpiece of the parcours of Max Le Verrier.

Influence and legacy

Max Le Verrier is not only an artist but also an entrepreneur and networker. He collaborates with leading sculptors such as Pierre Le Faguays and Marcel-André Bouraine. In his foundry, he also casts works for colleagues, helping spread the Art Deco style across Europe and beyond.

Today, his original works remain coveted by collectors. Thanks to specialized galleries such as Deconamic, enthusiasts can still acquire authentic Max Le Verrier sculptures and Art Deco lamps – each one a true piece of history.

Discover the parcours of Max Le Verrier at Deconamic

At Deconamic, you explore the full parcours of Max Le Verrier, from his first steps as a sculptor to his iconic position within Art Deco. You find an exclusive collection of authentic Max Le Verrier sculptures and lamps, cast in the original molds and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Each piece is not only a work of art but also a tangible chapter in his life story.

Browse the complete collection and bring a piece of his remarkable parcours and the timeless beauty of Art Deco  into your home.

Source of the text:
Max le Verrier, un esprit Art Déco.
Bénédicte Wattel & Damien Blanchet Le Verrier.
Editions Louvre Victoire.