Lalique Museum Doesburg

René Jules Lalique (born April 6, 1860, Ay-† May 1, 1945, Paris) was a French jewelry and glass artist of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, the French expression of Art Nouveau. At the age of 16, Lalique began an apprenticeship with Louis Aucoc (1850-1932), a prestigious exclusive luxury jeweler in Paris. 1878-1880 he undertook a two-year study visit at Sydenham Art College in London. Upon his return, he began his career as a draftsman and designer of jewelry designs for various jewelers, including Aucoc, Cartier and Boucheron. In 1882 he became a freelance designer for several houses and four years later he opened his own shop. In 1890 Lalique was considered one of the most important jewelery designers of French Art Nouveau. He made innovative designs for the Parisian business of Samuel Bing. Flora, fauna and female forms are the main sources of inspiration for Art Nouveau. Lalique designed jewelery with a natural influence based on peacocks, dragonflies and snakes. He uses materials that until then were uncommon in Haute Joaillerie: glass, leather, enamel, horn and shells. He also often preferred semi-precious stones over gems. He chose them because of their color, luster and shape, and not necessarily exclusivity.