For over sixty years, Robert Couturier worked in his Paris studio at the Villa Seurat, devoting his art to the exploration of the human body—particularly the female form. Trained in drawing and lithography, he quickly developed a personal sculptural language, initially shaped by his encounter with Aristide Maillol in 1928. The death of Maillol in 1944 marked a turning point, as Couturier began to assert his own vision and become what he described as an “anti-Maillol.”

Rather than adding material, Couturier preferred to hollow it out. This approach, which he called “forme ouverte,” allowed air and light to become active components of the sculpture. The body, thus transformed, appears fluid and ever-changing depending on the viewer’s perspective. Through this play of space and voids, Couturier invites the viewer to enter the work and experience it from within. He described himself as a “dessinateur de la sculpture,” as his practice relied more on suggestion than on imposing form.

The Donjon de Vez, this summer, is dedicating a major exhibition to this singular body of work, on view from June 30 to November 2, 2025. This is the first large-scale retrospective devoted to Robert Couturier since 2005, bringing together around twenty monumental and life-sized sculptures installed in the gardens and interior spaces of the Donjon. The Robert Couturier exhibition is part of an ongoing commitment to showcasing major 20th-century artists in exceptional historic settings.

This exhibition is organized with the support of the Galerie Dina Vierny, which represents the artist’s estate, and is produced by Artcurial Culture, an agency specialized in the design and implementation of curated cultural projects.

Robert Couturier was born in 1905 in Angoulême and moved to Paris at a young age to study lithography. His talent was quickly recognized: in 1928, he crossed paths with Aristide Maillol, who became both his mentor and friend. The 1930s marked the beginning of his public recognition. Winner of the Blumenthal Prize, he took part in numerous group exhibitions in Paris. In 1936, an official commission launched him onto the national stage: he created Le Jardinier for the Esplanade of the Trocadéro, as well as sculptures and decorations for the Pavilion of Elegance at the 1937 Universal Exposition.

Captured during World War II, he managed to escape and, during the occupation, took part in founding the Salon de Mai in 1943, a significant act of artistic resistance. Immediately after Liberation, he became a professor at the École nationale des Beaux-Arts. His career soon gained international scope: as early as 1947, he exhibited solo in London and participated in major exhibitions in Bern and Amsterdam. He represented French sculpture at the Venice Biennale (1950) and São Paulo Biennale (1951), as well as at the Sonsbeek and Antwerp exhibitions in the early 1950s.

Major institutions began dedicating retrospectives to him: the Rodin Museum in 1970, followed by the Monnaie de Paris in 1975. In 2005, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, the Dina Vierny Foundation – Musée Maillol tributed him with an exceptional retrospective in Paris. That same year, he was promoted to Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 103, leaving behind a prolific body of work of more than 500 sculptures.

The Galerie Dina Vierny, which first exhibited him in 1984 in its space in Rue Jacob, remains a key player today in promoting his work. In 2019, it dedicated him a new exhibition titled Couturier – Richier, a Sculptural Friendship, highlighting the deep bond between these two major figures of 20th-century French sculpture.

Classified as a Historic Monument since 1906, the Donjon de Vez, located in the Oise region, is an emblematic medieval fortress that blends history with contemporary creation. Rising 27 meters high, it preserves defensive structures typical of the 14th century, such as its walls, curtain walls, machicolations, and gargoyles, all designed to withstand prolonged attacks. 

The adjoining chapel, rich in historical remains, includes a crypt housing Gallo-Roman sarcophagi, baptismal fonts from the Morcourt Cathedral, as well as the tombs of Léon Dru and his wife, former owners who left a significant mark on the castle’s history. 

Over the centuries, the castle has had several owners dedicated to preserving its medieval character while adding modern comforts. Additionally, the Bourdelle courtyard pays tribute to sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, featuring bronzes displayed in an apple orchard, creating a harmonious dialogue between art and nature. 

Today, the Donjon de Vez is recognized for its unique balance between historical heritage and contemporary enhancement, offering an exceptional setting for art exhibitions, such as the one dedicated to Robert Couturier.