Raymond Cogniat (14 April 1896 – 20 February 1977) was a French art critic, journalist, historian of art and expert on theatre design.[1]
Raymond Cogniat was born on 14 April 1896, the son of a journalist. In 1918 he joined the staff of the Théâtre de l'Atelier. He continued to champion avant-garde theatre as a critic for the journal Comœdia and, until 1940, editor of Beaux Arts.[1] In 1923 Cogniat became the resident art critic of the Revue de l'Amérique latine, developing an expertise .[2]
From 1943 to 1967 Cogniat was Principal Inspector of Fine Arts,[3] and after World War II he was also managing director of the weekly Arts.[1]
Cogniat was responsible for the French pavilion at the Venice Biennale between 1956 and 1960, and called for Paris to host a similar event. This resulted in André Malraux, Minister of Culture, establishing the Biennale de Paris in 1959, with Cogniat appointed as general delegate in charge of the event.[4]
Cogniat was head of the arts section of Le Figaro from 1957 until his death.[3] He died in Paris on 20 February 1977.