Richard de Bas: The French Paper Mill That Supplied Picasso and Dalí
Emmanuel Kerbourc'h, descendant of a family that has run the Richard de Bas paper mill in Ambert, central France, for generations, explains the mill's history and craft. The building is over 700 years old. Its paper was used for the French Constitution and by artists such as Dalí, Picasso, and Chagall. Kerbourc'h's great-grandfather bought the mill during World War II. Richard de Bas is now one of only three such artisanal paper mills left in France. While modern machines can produce a thousand tons of paper a day, Richard de Bas produces about two tons per year. Kerbourc'h emphasizes that quality requires time and proper methods.
Key facts
- Richard de Bas paper mill is located in Ambert, central France.
- The building is over 700 years old.
- The mill's paper was used to print the French Constitution.
- Artists Dalí, Picasso, and Chagall used paper from Richard de Bas.
- Emmanuel Kerbourc'h is the current descendant running the mill.
- His great-grandfather bought the mill during World War II.
- Richard de Bas is one of three artisanal paper mills remaining in France.
- The mill produces about two tons of paper per year, compared to modern mills' thousand tons per day.
Entities
Artists
- Salvador Dalí
- Pablo Picasso
- Marc Chagall
Institutions
- Richard de Bas
- Artribune
Locations
- Ambert
- France