Who Was René Lalique
French glass designer.
On a day like today, French sculptor and designer René Lalique was born.
April 06, 1860.
René Jules Lalique (6 April 1860, Ay, Marne — 1 May 1945, Paris) was a French glass designer known for his creations of glass art, perfume bottles, vases, jewelry, chandeliers, clocks, and automobile hood ornaments.
René Lalique was a French glass artist and jewelry designer who was active from the 1880s until his death in 1945.
What is Lalique known for?
Glass art.
Lalique is best known for producing glass art, including perfume bottles, vases, and hood ornaments during the early twentieth century.
Following the death of René, Lalique transitioned to producing lead glass (crystal) works during the 1950s while under the direction of René’s son, Marc Lalique.
In the 1920s, Lalique transitioned from jewelry design to glass art.
Some of his most famous pieces include stained-glass windows, vases and bowls, and perfume bottles.
Although Lalique died in 1945, many of his designs are still produced today and can be found in many museums throughout France as well as online!
Corsage ornament, Khalili Collection of Enamels of the World.
René Lalique, a French artist, and designer born in 1860, is most famous for his glass art and jewelry designs of the Art Nouveau era.
After a childhood of drawing, Lalique began working as an apprentice in a Parisian goldsmith’s workshop.
He then went on to attend the École des Arts Décoratifs and the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie.
He soon became known for his highly detailed designs featuring flowers, insects, birds, and animals, something that was very unusual at the time.
His use of clear glass and glossy enamel is what really set him apart from other designs of the time period. It made his work stand out among all others.
In 1921 Lalique got into the perfume business with Coty Inc., creating perfume bottles.
Necklace designed for Lalique’s second wife, Alice Ledru, ca 1897–99
Here are just a few things you may not have known about this artist.
- He was born into a family of goldsmiths.
- He studied botany at an early age with his father.
- He started out as an apprentice in London with Louis Aucoc’s jewelry shop.
- He moved to Paris in 1878 and opened his own glassworks in 1909.
- René Lalique is known as the father of modern jewelry.
- His first collection was called “Art Nouveau,” and featured semi-precious stones such as opals, amethysts, and garnets.
Fan — Cleveland Museum of Art.
As a glass and jewelry maker who lived from 1860–1945, René Lalique was one of the most influential art nouveau designers of his time.
After World War I, Lalique turned toward even more decorative pieces like chandeliers and car mascots.
He also designed stained glass windows and mosaics, many of which were installed at Notre Dame Cathedral.
René Lalique, vase Trois figures d’hommes.
Lalique practiced glassmaking as an art form until World War I, when he was forced to pivot to producing utilitarian items for soldiers at war.
These included buttons, perfume bottles, and even rum flasks that could be worn around the neck for easy access on marches.
After the war ended, Lalique returned to creating decorative objects and continued to do so until his death.
René was most well-known for his glass art and jewelry design during the early 1900s when he experimented with enameling on the glass to create a new form of jewelry that was both beautiful and affordable.
He called this new style of ornamentation “jewelry for the masses,” and it eventually became popularized as “Art Nouveau.”
Today, his work can be found in some of the most famous museums worldwide.
_Regia Marinho.
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