Mastercrafts - Glass Masters

Emile Gallé (1846-1904) was a French glassmaker, ceramicist and furniture designer, who became one of the most influential figures within Art Nouveau and the French decorative arts. Born in Nancy, he studied botany and mineralogy in Germany before taking over his father’s glass and ceramics factory in 1874. At the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, his stylistic innovations in glass with carved cameo and pâte de verre work, were acclaimed. A cabinet making atelier was added to his factory in 1895. Between them, the École de Nancy (Gallé, Louis Majorelle, Victor Prové, Eugene Vallin and the Daum brothers) produced furniture, glassware, stained-glass, leather, ceramics and textiles. This confirmed the status of Nancy as one of the key centres of Art Nouveau.