with sharp observation of nature, produced some tree studies. An easel painter, Fontayne was also a recognised interior designer, fully involved in the Art Deco movement launched at Paris's Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs of 1925. His first essays in this style were large decorative panels, similar to that exhibited at the 1932 Salon des Indépendants. An easel painter, Fontayne was also a recognised interior designer, fully involved in the Art Deco movement launched at Paris's Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs of 1925. His first essays in this style were large decorative panels, similar to that exhibited at the 1932 Salon des Indépendants. He also composed a number of other similar decorative panels such as he showed at the 22nd Salon de la Société des Artistes Décorateurs of Paris (Paris, Grand Palais). The 1932 Salon de la Société des Artistes Décorateurs saw the creation of the Study Committee to organise the 1937 Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques. Fontayne won the competition to design the décor of the National Pavilion for ‘Mobilier et des Ensembles Mobiliers’ (Furniture and Furniture Sets)’. For this prestigious location, the French government commissioned Fontayne to produce a vast ceiling, no longer extant, like most of the design features created for this event. In section 38 of the show, Fontayne exhibited, on the stand of the Barbès Gallery, which represented the artist, the complete décor of a Salon-Boudoir in a harmonious pale-green hue. This set is made up of rosewood furniture, wall lamps and two decorative paintings. Here Fontayne acts as a professional interior designer, just like a Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, with whom he had exhibited six years earlier. Fontayne's teaching Fontayne’s varied gifts and accomplishments as painter and designer naturally led him to teaching. In 1931 he was appointed professor of decorative compositions at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles de Roubaix. A dedicated teacher who took his mission seriously, Fontayne had his students participate in the different decorative projects under his direction. This is how, starting in 1931, a small group formed around him that was responsible for the decorative scheme of the main staircase designed for the new town hall of Vincennes. The building was inaugurated in 1935. Five years later, he had his students at the École des Arts Appliqués de Paris create the sets and costumes for "Mon oncle Benjamin", a musical comedy by Francis Bousquet. Fontayne had been