Art Deco Masterpieces. The Rene Chambellan Grilles at Chanin Building NYC
The City of Opportunity
Irwin S. Chanin built the New York City Chanin Building in the late 1920s. The lobby, which represents some of the finest Art Deco in the city, was styled around a “City of Opportunity” concept.
The series of radiator grilles in the vestibules features a geometric design that symbolizes human thought and emotion. This design aims to convey the dominant idea that geometric lines can represent emotions and the abstractions of thought and action.
The grilles illustrate eight categories of physical and mental life. The four grilles displayed above belong to the “Mental Series,” while the next four are part of the “Physical Series.”
The Chanin Building Gilded Bronze Radiator Grilles by Rene Paul Chambellan.
This story is the second installment in a series celebrating the 2025 centenary of Art Deco. This time, we focus on the renowned Art Deco master, Rene Paul Chambellan.
While Chambellan created numerous works in New York City and beyond, we will highlight the remarkable Radiator Grilles in the Chanin Building vestibules. Paul Bellentan crafted these based on Jacques Delamarre’s concept.
These grilles, featuring a geometric, abstract design that symbolizes human thought and emotion, are some of the finest examples of Art Deco concept, design, and craftsmanship in New York City.
Read the previous episode on Art Deco.
Agitation. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Mental Series.” This subject portrays the first conscious stirrings, the first doubts, the first questions, and uncertainties.
Agitation. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Mental Series.”
This subject portrays the first conscious stirrings, the first doubts, the first questions, and uncertainties.
Courage. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Mental Series.”
Agitation. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Mental Series.”
The City of Opportunity
Irwin S. Chanin built the New York City Chanin Building in the late 1920s. The lobby, which represents some of the finest Art Deco in the city, was styled around a “City of Opportunity” concept.
The series of radiator grilles in the vestibules features a geometric design that symbolizes human thought and emotion. This design aims to convey the dominant idea that geometric lines can represent emotions and the abstractions of thought and action.
The grilles illustrate eight categories of physical and mental life. The four grilles displayed above belong to the “Mental Series,” while the next four are part of the “Physical Series.”
Activity. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Physical Series.”
Effort. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Physical Series.”
Endurance. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Physical Series.”
Success. Gilded Bronze Radiator Grill in the vestibule of the Chanin Building. By Rene Paul Chambellan 1929.
From “The City of Opportunity – Physical Series.”
More by Rene Paul Chambellan.
A preview from an incoming story about the elevator art in NYC Art Deco buildings.
Seventy Pine Street, according to many, has the most elaborate Deco lobby in the city. It was built for the Cities Service Oil Company, a project that involved some of the most skilled architects and craftsmen of the time.
Referring to the building’s identity as an oil company headquarters, the lobby’s elevator doors show a pair of nickel-silver reliefs designed by Rene Paul Chambellan, representing the evolution of fuel.
On the right door, a woman elegantly holds an antique oil lamp, a symbol of the past; on the left, a man confidently grasps an electric turbine, a symbol of the future. This striking contrast adds depth to the reliefs and the building’s history.
Seventy Pine Street was originally built for Cities Service Oil Company. The elevator doors shows a pair of nickel-silver reliefs designed by Rene Paul Chambellan, representing the evolution of fuel. On the right door, a woman elegantly holds an antique oil lamp, a symbol of the past; on the left, a man confidently grasps an electric turbine, a symbol of the future.
Copyright, Links and credits
All the photographs on this page are copyrighted to Roberto Bigano.
LINKS
The Architectural Forum. Reliefs And Grilles Of The Chanin Building Vestibules.
Architectural Design, May 1929, page 693 >
About Rene Paul Chambellan. A short bio.
Rene Paul Chambellan (1893–1955) was an American sculptor born in West Hoboken, New Jersey. He specialized in architectural sculpture and was one of the leading artists in “French Modern Style,” later recognized as Zig-Zag Moderne or Art Deco.
During World War I, while serving in the Army, he experienced a gas attack that resulted in lung injuries, which would cause him significant health problems later in life.
Chambellan was most productive in Manhattan from 1922 to 1939. His notable works during this time include the grilles of the Chanin Building and the elevator doors at 70 Pine Street. He was also co-author on the Atlas Statue at Rockefeller Center.
