In1900, Nancy became famous the world over for its art nouveau movement, founded by a group of outstanding artists. Known as the Ecole de Nancy (Nancy School), these artists brought together the decorative arts and industrial production, and this extraordinary creative adventure propelled Nancy into the limelight on the modern world stage. Three names are synonymous with Nancy, the decorative arts and the Art Nouveau movement. They were the pre-eminent designers during the period 1900 until around 1910. All came from a background of design and craft, all fully embraced Art Nouveau. All three won Grand Prix medals in the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900.
Louis Majorelle:
His father was a manufacturer of traditional furniture. Louis took over the business in 1879 on the death of his father and initially continued in the traditional styles. He exploded onto the scene with his offering at the 1900 Paris Exposition (Exposition Universelle). No-one was expecting the radical imaging of nature and the quality of craftsmanship. Majorelle made the best use of new techniques of machining and metalworking together with exotic new materials harvested from European colonies. His mastery of fine metalwork enable the company to expand into lighting with Daum providing most of the shades.
Villa Majorelle, (see below) his home and office is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture designed primarily by Henri Sauvage (his first commission) but incorporating work by many contemporary designers including Jacques Grüber for the stained glass and Alexandre Bigot who designed the extraordinary ceramic freestanding fireplace.
Émile Gallé:
His father, Charles Gallé, was a merchant of glassware and ceramics who had settled in Nancy in 1844, and his father-in-law owned a factory in Nancy which manufactured mirrors. Emile studied philosophy and natural science at the Lycée Imperial in Nancy. He became an accomplished botanist before entering the family business. Prior to the Exposition Universelle of 1900, Galle was acknowledged as the leader and figurehead of Art Nouvea decorative arts in Nancy.
Daum:
The Daum studio was founded in 1878 by Jean Daum (1825–1885). His sons, Auguste Daum (1853–1909) and Antonin Daum (1864–1931) joined him and oversaw expansion through the Art Nouveau period and beyond.
Art Nouveau Architecture in Nancy
Villa Majorelle
The Villa Majorelle is probably the most well known of Nancy’s Art Nouveau buildings. It is located at 1 rue Louis-Majorielle in the city of Nancy, France, it was the home and studio of the furniture designer Louis Majorelle. It was designed and built by the architect Henri Sauvage in 1901-1902. The villa is one of the first and most influential examples of the Art Nouveau architectural style in France. It served as a showcase for Majorelle’s furniture and the work of other noted decorative artists of the period, including ceramist Alexandre Bigot and stained glass artist Jacques Gruber. It is now owned by the city of Nancy, and is open to the public certain days for tours by reservation.
Further information and images of the Villa Marjorelle and Henri Sauvage’s other work can be found via the link below.
Other Nancy Art Nouveau Buildings
