Bernard Dunand was born on June 13th, 1908 in Paris. He was the elder son of the famous expert enlaquer Jean Dunand. From his early years he worked with metal in the family workroom and with the help of his father he was initiated at the art of the copperware and lacquer. His first tests in lacquer were in 1933 when, after a journey to the west indies he decided put down his impressions in layers of different coloured laquers which multiplied the effects and expressed more strongly his emotions and sensations.
Bernard Dunand not only managed the different workshops he also continued his personal work.
In 1935 he displayed his lacquedred panels in a Parisian gallery, however the future of the family business was more important so this obliged him to continue to work in the manufacture with his father.�
He did, however manange to continue his research in lacquer work with the japanese masters of the art.�
He often displayed his work at the National Society of the Beaux-Arts, in the Autumn Salon.
In 1937 he won an important award at the International Exhibition of the Arts and Techniques. The same year, he received a certain number of orders for the Mobilier National of France.
During the war was mobilised and then emprisoned in Germany.�
Before the end of the war, Bernard Dunand lost both his brother and his father.
These events caused him to turn towards God for reconfort and he also needed time to thought.�
He left the family business and returned to art together with his second brother Pierre. � �
Their association did not work very well and so they separated in the 1950's.
However, Jacques Adnet, who was the President of the Artist Decorators Society chose Bernard Dunand to be on the commitee.
Dunand, during this period, worked on the orders of the fellow members such as Jean Royère, Leleu or Eugène Printz.
He realised also small panels which he signed "André Dambrun" and also more prestigious orders for important clients or for state buildings.
In 1965, he collaborated with the decorator, Deshays, then in 1966 with Max Ingrand for the decoration of the hall in the Saint-Gobain Society in Neuilly. He also collaborated with Jean Royère's building site in several ocean liner decorations.
One can see, in these realisations the complet difference with the style of his father. His style is very personal and his technique and aesthetic sense is perfect.�
In october 1984 a retrospective of his work was show in the Hargeline in Paris where it was very much acclaimed by the critics.
Bernard Dunand passed away in 1998.
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