The engraved cement technique consists in engraving the desired pattern in fresh cement using metal gouges. A mason spreads the cement layer (2 to 3,9 in thick) in successive layers on the walls and the artists intervene as they go along. The drawings, in recessed form (0,8 to 1,2 in deep), are then painted with glycerophthalic paint which, once dry, looks like enamel. The preparatory drawings are previously made on paper by the artists with or without prior squaring. Some of these engraved cements cover very large areas, up to 270 square meters for example in Choisy-le-Roi.

Boris Taslitzky putting the colour on a engraved cement in Choisy-le-Roi, 1967, photo. Gérald Bloncourt

Boris Taslitzky putting the colour on a engraved cement in Choisy-le-Roi, 1967, photo. Gérald Bloncourt

This process was used in France in the 1950s and 1960s for the wall decoration of public monuments ( nurseries, schools, social housing, etc.). This corresponded to the post-war desire of these artists to put art in the public space, within everyone's reach.

This desire was encouraged by the decree of 18 May 1951 requiring builders to devote 1% of the total cost of construction to the artistic decoration of buildings covered by the National Education system. This measure was extended to all public buildings during the 1970-1980 period.

The main artists who used this technique at the time were Jean Amblard, Raymond Perrot, Édouard Pignon, Marc Saint-Saëns and Boris Taslitzky, sometimes in collective works.

Some of the achievements include the following :

• The Paul Langevin residence in Saint-Denis, architect André Lurçat, artists Édouard Pignon, Marc Saint-Saëns, 1947-1949.
• The Anatole France school complex in la Courneuve, (The sea wonders), Jean Amblard and Boris Taslitzky, 1961.
• The Paul Langevin school complex in Choisy-le-Roi, (The Île-de-France forest), Jean Amblard and Boris Taslitzky, 1962-1963
• The social center in Bagnolet, Boris Taslitzky and Jean Amblard, 1962.
• The Marcel Cachin School in Bezons, (floral and animal decorations), Boris Taslitzky, 1965.
• The Louise Michel nursery in Levallois-Perret, (a tribute to Louise Michel and the Nouméa kids), Boris Taslitzky, 1968.
• A convalescent home in Nanterre, school complex in Blanc-Mesnil and in Noisy-le-Sec, Boris Taslitzky.

Évelyne TASLITZKY