Guy Besnard

1910 — 1992

Guy Besnard was born in 1910 in France and passed away in 1992. A renowned furniture designer and publisher, he played a significant role in shaping the post-war modernist aesthetic of 1950s France, with a focus on simplicity, functionality, and lightness of form. Besnard graduated from the prestigious École Boulle in the 1930s and began his career designing for Claude Delor before founding his own publishing and design studio, Éditions Guy Besnard & Cie.

His furniture, often compact and refined, is characterized by lacquered or brass-coated metal frames, light wood, and modern upholstery fabrics such as vinyl and bouclé. He designed armchairs, sofas, and lounge chairs known for their angular armrests, compass-style legs, and generous comfort. His creations were sold in shops like Pilote and have since become icons of mid-century French design. Today, his work is highly valued by collectors of vintage furniture for its understated elegance and exceptional craftsmanship.