Cooper Hewitt says...
Jerry Fels studied painting and sculpture at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design, both in New York. He worked as an art director for Gertz’s department store in Queens. He enlisted in the Air Force at the outbreak of World War II and settled in California at the end of his service. Along with his brother-in-law Kurt Freiler, Fels established the Los Angeles– based jewelry company Renoir of Hollywood, later named Renoir of California, which specialized in copper designs. Fels handled the design and sales side of the business, while Freiler made all the jewelry pieces by hand. In 1952 Fels introduced the Matisse, Ltd. line, which offered copper and enamel jewelry. Both businesses ceased production in 1964. Freiler and Fels then formed the design group Curtis Jere and produced metal sculptures, lamps, and other home accessories.
