Charles Stern was described in the newspapers of his time as a notable figure, a “millionaire,” who embodied both the roles of painter and patron during the Art Deco period, yet his biography remains fragmentary. His name surfaces primarily through the works commissioned for his residences, his activities as a collector, and a handful of appearances in exhibitions, such as the one held at the Bernheim-Jeune & Cie gallery in 1912 or the Salon des Indépendants in 1937.
In the spirit of café society, he moved within a privileged circle of patrons attuned to modern artistic currents. The elegance of the salon in his private mansion, decorated by Süe et Mare and published in the duo’s seminal 1921 volume Architectures, reflects his taste for refinement, vivid color, and the forms of Art Deco.
Beyond his role as a patron, he is occasionally cited as a creator in his own right. However, his body of work remains little known: a Japonist wallpaper designed for André Groult, and a bird motif for a printed textile produced by Lauer. A costume ball invitation he designed is also documented, revealing his affinity for the Far East.