RENE LALIQUE Jewellery Designer Rene Lalique 1860 1945

RENE LALIQUE Jewellery Designer

Rene Lalique 1860 -1945 ◦ Born 6 th April 1860 – Ay, France ◦ Died May 5 th 1945 ◦ Famous French jeweller ◦ Famously worked through the Art Nouveau movement ◦ School of Decorative Arts – Paris and London ◦ Jeweller and glass maker

Became an apprentice craftsman and jeweller at Louis Aucoc 1825 after the death of his father, where he leaned skills of jewellery making. France’s foremost Art Nouveau Jewellery Designers Rene Lalique One of the world's greatest glass makers Worked freelance for top jewellery designers: Cartier and Boucheron Was once commissioned by famous actress Sarah Bernhart

His tutors, Japanese Art and Greek mythology Rene Lalique – Influences and Inspiration Nature, botanical studies of flowers and plants, animal motifs Female figure, Materials and techniques

Translucent *enamel, semi precious/precious stones, enamel, Opalescent* Glass (imitates diamonds), Ivory, gold and silver Created modern, mass produced jewellery which retained a handmade look – available to the general public at the time Rene Lalique – Materials and Processes Enamelling* Etching* Glazing, frosting and polishing stones Machine produced and then hand finished with small tools

Luxurious sinuous renowned stunning quality flowing lines Key words unique expertise sophisticated sleek prolific elaborate intricate

Art Nouveau 18901910 ◦ Art nouveau could be said to be the first 20 th century modern style. It was the first style to stop looking backwards in history for ideas, taking inspiration instead from what it saw around it, in particular the natural world. When art nouveau was showcased first in Paris and then in London, there was outrage; people either loved it or loathed it. Within the style itself there are two distinct looks: curvy lines and the more austere, linear look of artists such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Some aspects of art nouveau were revived again in the 1960 s. ◦ Art nouveau flourished in the first decades of the twentieth century but was killed off by the First World War.

At its height, Art Nouveau was a concerted attempt to create an international style based on decoration. It was developed by a brilliant and energetic generation of artists and designers, who sought to fashion an art form appropriate to the modern age. During this extraordinary time, urban life as we now understand it was established. Old customs, habits, and artistic styles sat alongside new, combining a wide range of contradictory images and ideas. Many artists, designers, and architects were excited by new technologies and lifestyles, while others retreated into the past, embracing the spirit world, fantasy, and myth. (Mucha) Style ◦ ◦ ◦ sinuous, elongated, curvy lines the whiplash line vertical lines and height stylised flowers, leaves, roots, buds and seedpods the female form - in a pre-Raphaelite pose with long, flowing hair ◦ exotic woods, marquetry, iridescent glass, silver and semi-precious stones

Rene Lalique – Dragonfly Woman Brooch (1898) ◦ Corsage Ornament Dragonfly Woman 18971898 Gold, enamel, chrysoprase, moonstones, diamonds 9 x 10 7/16 inches

Rene Lalique – Speedwell Bracelet (ca 1900) ◦ Speedwell bracelet. Rene Lalique (1860 - 1945). ca 1900, bracelet of gold, glass and enamel. 7” (17. 8 cm).