Agir en diplomate, quand le stuc s’exporte à l’étranger. Le cas de la légation de France à Belgrade dans l’entre-deux-guerres

Built between 1929 and 1935 by architect Roger-Henri Expert, the French legation in Belgrade stands out as one of the most accomplished examples of diplomatic architecture conceived as an instrument of cultural and political influence. In a context where France sought to reaffirm its position in Central Europe after the First World War, this building – situated on a site of exceptional prominence – was intended as a reflection of a republic rooted in its artistic traditions and geopolitical ambitions. Beyond its monumental exterior, the edifice reveals a sophisticated decorative programme, the highlight of which is the rotunda salon, or Paquebot Salon, entirely adorned with a monumental stucco tapestry. Created in collaboration with the sculptor Carlo Sarrabezolles, this ensemble offers a synthesis of art, craftsmanship and diplomacy. Through the use of stucco – a material historically associated with grand ceremonial decors – the State asserts the enduring excellence of its craftsmanship by reinterpreting its traditional know-how in a contemporary manner. This article examines how this decorative stucco ensemble contributes to the construction of a space of political representation, and how Art Deco, far from being a mere style, becomes a vehicle for a republican imaginary designed to embody modernity while magnifying a centuries-old cultural heritage.