Suzanne Ramié

Suzanne Ramié, born Suzanne Douly on January 13, 1905, in Lyon, and passing away on June 12, 1974, in Vallauris, was a renowned French ceramicist, best known for founding the Madoura workshop. Her work played a crucial role in the revival of ceramics in Vallauris during the 20th century.

Between 1922 and 1926, Suzanne Ramié studied decoration and ceramics at the École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, where she was awarded the Triennial Prize from the Ministry of Industry. After marrying Georges Ramié, the couple moved to Provence in 1936. Suzanne furthered her training with potter Jean-Baptiste Chiapello, learning traditional ceramic craftsmanship techniques.

In 1938, the Ramiés established their own workshop in Vallauris, a town whose pottery industry had been in decline. They named their workshop Madoura, an acronym combining "Maison," "Douly," and "Ramié". Despite the challenges of World War II, Suzanne continued creating and exhibited her works in Lyon in 1940, achieving success that encouraged her to reopen the workshop as soon as possible.

Under Suzanne's leadership, Madoura became a center for ceramic innovation, attracting renowned artists. In 1946, she organized an exhibition in Vallauris, where she met Pablo Picasso. This encounter marked the beginning of a prolific collaboration, with Picasso creating over 3,500 ceramic pieces at Madoura over a 25-year period.

Suzanne Ramié’s creations are distinguished by their refined forms and sculptural approach to ceramics. She reinterpreted traditional utilitarian pottery, modernizing it while respecting artisanal techniques. Her work gained international recognition, with exhibitions in Paris, London, Stockholm, and Tokyo, and her pieces became part of prestigious museum collections, including the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires in France and the Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza, Italy.

After her passing in 1974, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon paid tribute to her in 1975 with a dedicated exhibition, highlighting her significant contribution to modern ceramics.