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Creator of the World’s Largest Stained-glass Dome.
Eric Bonte holds this record to this day. Becoming a familiar name through his stained-glass creations, he has garnered universal acclaim. Creating reality from others’ dreams, what is it that he dreams of?
Eric Bonte is a successful contemporary glass artist known for his signature domes and stained-glass windows. Never lacking inspiration, he turns dreams into reality. With glass as his canvas, he creates luxurious scenes filled with color with a masterful understanding of glass and light. Combining art and function, his work has inspired beauty and praise.
With Europe’s extensive history in glass arts as his foundation, Bonte wields his thriving imagination and purpose and he leads his team in creating large-scale installations. There is no doubt that Eric Bonte is one of the key figures of French contemporary glass.
In 1986, Eric Bonte was commissioned to create the stained glass windows for the Yamoussoukro Basilica in the Ivory Coast. With a 60 person team, the project took 18 months to complete.
The largest colored glass commission in history, it is also the world’s largest area of stained glass. The signature domes create by Eric Bonte are mesmerizing. From use of color to painted overlays, from composition to craft, each detail is exquisite. Channeling the rich history of European stained-glass, his work is historical, his achievements are indelible. Gazing up at his work, we are moved to the believing in an everlasting renaissance and the eternal succession of art.
Eric Bonte believes strongly in freedom and love. In the depths of his soul, he is uncompromising when it comes to his beliefs and passions. Bonte’s glass art is a reflection of this; it is in the work you see in front of you now.
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Truly passionate about glass and its infinite potential, he is always ready to tackle fresh challenges!
It is for this exact reason that, in 1986, Eric Bonte obtained the commission for the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire. This work has become legendary due to the amount of glass needed for the dome and stained glass windows. It required more than a million glass pieces and spans a record breaking 8400m2.
Since then, he has completed numerous domes and architectural works around the world. The graphic identity of Eric can be distinguished by his creative imagination and his technical mastery. He offers us aerial artworks, moving us to introspection. Sometimes a silhouette appears on the surface of the glass; other times we appreciate Eric’s quality as a designer of fine lines. He brings us on a journey through space and time.
In the 80s, he was already presenting his works at Galerie Capazza but, given the rise of France Vitrail International, he was forced to stop personal creations for a while. Then in 2010, a lovely couple came to the gallery, and what a surprise: it was Eric and Claude Bonte! Unexpectedly, showcasing Eric’s personal artworks was once again possible.
A multifaceted creator, devoting the same amount of fervor to projects, regardless of size, Bonte invites us to dream and to travel. He creates a universal language through the material of glass.
Warm thanks to the Liuli China Museum for facilitating Bonte’s first solo exhibition in Asia.
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1956
Born in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
1976-1979
National School of Applied Arts and Crafts, Paris.
1979
Eric Bonte vitraux purchased first studio in the community of Issy les Moulineaux, Paris.
He took over the studio from J.J.K.RAY, a master glassmaker and renowned artist in the field of stained glass and engraved glass.
Running a workshop allowed him to combine both a professional experience and a creative adventure. As the artist and chief executive officer, the creator and manager, it boils down to giving oneself the space to create, to express oneself, to exist through art.
1984-1986
Stained Glass Comparison Exhibition at Galerie Capazza Nançay.
The Art of Glass, exhibition in Rouen with over 200 international glass artists.
Galerie Pasquine Gignoux, Strasbourg.
Galerie Trois, Geneva.
Galerie Quartz, Paris.
Nominated for the Cobourg Prize for glass sculptures.
Opening of Espace Verre, a second shop in Bordeaux.
1986-1987
He became Jean Bazaine’s glassblower and created for him the stained glass windows of the Saint Dié des Vosges Cathedral, the Saint Guénolé Penmarch Chapel ... He also restored the stained glass windows of the church of Saint Séverin in Paris.
1987
Creation of FRANCE VITRAIL INTERNATIONAL in Nanterre to complete The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
This is the most important order in the history of stained glass, 8,400 m2 of stained glass. Three and a half times more than the stained glass present in the cathedral of Chartres, this site alone represented eighteen months of work with a team of over sixty people. Côte d'Ivoire president Houphouet Boigny decorated Eric Bonte with the Legion of Honour Officer's Medal following the consecration of the Basilica by John Paul II.
1989
Fusion of the two workshops under the name of France Vitrail International.
1999
Awarded the Sema Regional Arts and Crafts Award.
Received Art Enterprise Export Award, organized by Banques Populaires.
In addition to the stained glass windows of the Yamoussoukro Basilica, FRANCE VITRAIL INTERNATIONAL has many prestigious references:
the stained glass windows of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman; the contemporary stained glass domes and ceilings of the Movenpick Hotel and the Arab League Conference Center in Sharm el Sheikh, Eygpt; carved glass fountains for City Hall in Moscow, other stained glass works for large Parisian buildings such as the Plaza Athénée, Meurice, Raphael or Regina Hotels or the restaurants Molard, Grand Café Capucines, Rostang...etc.
2011
Thanks to Galerie Capazza Nançay, Eric Bonte exhibits personal creations again: Food for thought Exhibition.
2012
See you at the place of Transformation Exhibition, Galerie Capazza Nançay.
2013
Essential Naturalism Exhibition, Galerie Capazza Nançay.
2014
France Vitrail International, on behalf of Eric Bonte, invites the artists of Galerie Capazza to his studio to meet the people of the National Liberty Museum of Philadelphia. Captured Light Exhibition, Galerie Capazza Nançay.
2015
Solo Exhibition, Galerie Capazza Nançay.
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