Devaud
Devaud is the sole-proprietor fine-art practice of Philippe Devaud, a Swiss-born artist based in Rinzenberg, Germany, producing traditional paintings, proprietary Hanakami handmade paper art, and large-scale art-in-architecture installations for foundations, research institutes, cultural sites, private collectors, and performing-arts organizations worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersRinzenberg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Devaud does
Devaud (operating as Atelier Devaud / Art of Devaud) is the sole-proprietorship artistic practice of Philippe Devaud, a Swiss-born artist (b. 1955, Zürich) based in Rinzenberg, Germany. Since 1987, the practice has operated as a freelance fine-art studio producing traditional paintings, handmade paper artworks (under the Hanakami sub-brand), and large-scale art-in-architecture installations. The studio serves three primary customer segments: public/institutional clients (foundations, research institutes, cultural/religious sites, museums) commissioning integrated architectural art; private collectors purchasing originals in oil, watercolor, and paper; and performing-arts organizations requiring stage design and visual effects. Commissions are individually negotiated with no public pricing.
The core technical differentiators are (1) proprietary Hanakami handmade paper produced from Chinese and Thai mulberry tree fiber via a multi-week soaking/boating/beating process that yields tear-resistant, hydrogen-bonded sheets, with the Flame of Old Europe piece documented as the largest handmade paper in Europe; (2) an electrolytic pigment-binding process that permanently bonds lightfast pigments to Hanakami fibers; (3) glass-lamination of paper art between Isolierglas/Laminierglas panes, with the Euroglas partnership producing fire-resistant FIRESWISS glass for architectural pieces providing ~99% UV absorption; and (4) traditional old-master oil techniques with up to 14 layers in skin tones, using five oils (four sun-thickened and aged 10 years) and five resins. The practice also incorporates atmospheric mist technology (e.g., 48-nozzle Kasumi installation) for dynamic architectural artworks.
The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: direct commissions through art-in-architecture competitions and invitational competitions, collaborations with architectural firms (notably OAC London since 2011), partnerships with materials suppliers (Glas Trösch since 2001, Da Vinci Künstlerpinselfabrik Defet for custom brushes), exhibitions for private-collector sales, and ongoing teaching since 1988 (including workshops at the New York Academy of Art in 2006-2007). The studio operates with no employees — Philippe Devaud is the sole practitioner — from a single atelier in Rinzenberg, with no funding rounds, no external investors, and no subsidiaries.
Devaud firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Devaud
- Legal name
- Philippe Devaud
- Website
- https://artofdevaud.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Devaud is the sole-proprietor fine-art practice of Philippe Devaud, a Swiss-born artist based in Rinzenberg, Germany, producing traditional paintings, proprietary Hanakami handmade paper art, and large-scale art-in-architecture installations for foundations, research institutes, cultural sites, private collectors, and performing-arts organizations worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Devaud industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fine Art Services
- NAICS
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)
Keywords
Where Devaud is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rinzenberg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Devaud business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Public and Private Commissions: Commissioned artwork for architectural spaces, public buildings, and private collectors. Includes art-in-architecture projects, murals, and large-scale paintings.
- Teaching and Workshops: Private individual and group instruction in all artistic techniques since 1988. Workshops conducted at institutions including New York Academy of Art.
- Original Artwork Sales: Sale of original paintings and artworks to private collectors worldwide. Works sold through exhibitions and direct inquiries.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Devaud product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Devaud is the freelance fine art practice of Philippe Devaud, producing commissioned oil paintings on canvas, watercolor paintings on paper, and proprietary Hanakami handmade paper artworks. The practice also designs and executes large-scale art-in-architecture installations that integrate glass lamination, paper, and atmospheric mist (e.g., Kasumi, Flame of Old Europe, Famen Temple Zen Meditation Centre). Supporting services include historical artwork restoration (murals, altars, canvas) and private/group art instruction in traditional painting techniques.
Product overview
Devaud (Art of Devaud) is the artistic practice of Philippe Devaud, a Swiss artist based in Rinzenberg, Germany. The portfolio encompasses multiple interconnected product lines: (1) Hanakami Paper Art — the artist's signature handcrafted paper and artworks created thereon; (2) Oil Paintings on Canvas — traditional oil paintings using a meticulous multi-layered technique; (3) Watercolor on Paper — wet-on-wet watercolor paintings on premium cotton paper; (4) Art in Architecture — large-scale architectural installations combining glass, paper, water, and mist, including the notable 'Kasumi' and 'Flame of Old Europe' installations; (5) Famen Temple Zen Meditation Center Art — meditative installations for Buddhist sacred sites; (6) Restoration Services — conservation and restoration of historical murals, paintings, and altars; (7) Private Art Classes — instruction in various artistic techniques; and (8) Thematic Art Series — social criticism, portraits, still life, and figure paintings. The core differentiator is Devaud's proprietary Hanakami paper and his mastery of traditional oil painting techniques, with art-in-architecture projects representing significant public installations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hanakami: Handmade paper brand created by Philippe Devaud in 1998, made from Chinese and Thai mulberry tree fiber. Used as a unique painting surface and has been described as the largest hand-made paper in Europe.
Products and services
- Oil Paintings on Canvas
Companies that use Devaud
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Devaud technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Devaud partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Yomei ChiangcoreArtist and collaborator on Famen Temple Zen Meditation Centre project. Created environmental installations and artworks including Sky Lake meditation platform and Labyrinth installations with Devaud.
- Office for Architectural Culture (OAC)coreLondon-based architectural practice founded by Charles Phu. Devaud appointed 'Art Advisor' to OAC since 2011. Collaboration on major projects including Famen Temple Zen Meditation Centre in China - engaged for designs of artworks and environmental installations for the project. OAC won international design competition for the Famen Temple master plan.
- Dirk Hebel (Architect)coreDipl. Architect ETH, March Princeton University. Collaborated with Devaud on Kasumi project - architect in charge for the 'Blur' mist installation at Expo 02 in Yverdon, Switzerland. Together won the art-in-architecture competition for Elisabeth Foundation in Birkenfeld.
- Glastroeschdesign / Glas Trösch / EuroglascoreSwiss glass manufacturer partnership since 2001. Created glass objects with Isolierglas and Laminierglas, laminating Hanakami papers into glass for architectural installations. Produces safety glass products including FIRESWISS fire-resistant glass for Flame of Old Europe installation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Devaud competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Olafur Eliasson: Danish-Icelandic artist known for large-scale atmospheric installations including mist, light, and water-based works. Highly comparable to Devaud's Kasumi mist installation with Hanakami paper and his glass-paper-water architectural pieces; both artists work at the intersection of fine art and architectural integration.
- Spencer Finch: American artist creating permanent and temporary installations exploring perception of light and atmosphere, often integrated into architecture. Comparable in approach to Devaud's atmospheric paper-glass-mist installations commissioned for specific architectural spaces.
- Tara Donovan: American sculptor known for large-scale installations from accumulations of everyday materials including paper, creating atmospheric sculptural works. Comparable in material experimentation and installation-based practice to Devaud's Hanakami paper works and architectural installations.
- Studio Drift: Dutch artist duo creating atmospheric, kinetic, and nature-inspired installations including 'Fragile Future' and 'Shylight'. Comparable to Devaud for atmospheric installations integrating natural phenomena (light, movement) with crafted materials in architectural contexts.
- Do Ho Suh: Korean artist known for translucent fabric and paper-based architectural installations exploring space and memory. Comparable to Devaud's paper-based architectural works, particularly the layering and translucency techniques used in his Hanakami glass-laminated pieces.
- Anselm Kiefer: German artist working with traditional materials (oil, lead, ash, straw) at monumental scale with thematic depth. Comparable to Devaud as a German-based fine artist using traditional techniques for large-scale works addressing cultural and historical themes.
Broad incumbents
- James Turrell: American artist renowned for light-based architectural installations and Skyspaces integrated into built environments. Comparable to Devaud for art-in-architecture commissions working with natural phenomena (light vs. mist) embedded in architectural spaces, though operating at significantly larger scale.
- Anish Kapoor: British-Indian artist known for monumental sculptural installations and art-in-architecture commissions worldwide. Comparable in scale and architectural integration ambition, though Kapoor operates with a large studio team while Devaud operates as a sole practitioner.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Devaud social profiles
Digital presenceDevaud financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Devaud leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Devaud funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Devaud M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Devaud
What does Devaud do?
Devaud is the freelance fine art practice of Philippe Devaud, producing commissioned oil paintings on canvas, watercolor paintings on paper, and proprietary Hanakami handmade paper artworks. The practice also designs and executes large-scale art-in-architecture installations that integrate glass lamination, paper, and atmospheric mist (e.g., Kasumi, Flame of Old Europe, Famen Temple Zen Meditation Centre). Supporting services include historical artwork restoration (murals, altars, canvas) and private/group art instruction in traditional painting techniques.
Is Devaud a public or private company?
Devaud is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Devaud founded?
Devaud was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Devaud based?
Devaud is headquartered in Rinzenberg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Devaud make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public and Private Commissions are the primary driver. The others are teaching and Workshops and original Artwork Sales.
Who are Devaud's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Olafur Eliasson, Spencer Finch, Tara Donovan, Studio Drift, Do Ho Suh and Anselm Kiefer. Broad incumbents are James Turrell and Anish Kapoor.
Does Devaud have an API?
No public API is recorded for Devaud.
What industry is Devaud in?
Devaud's product category is Fine Art Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAKAA, Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture), with a secondary code of EDAMAAAD, Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media). Its NAICS code is 711510 and its SIC code is 7330.