Syracuse University Art Galleries Art Nouveau Glass & Pottery From the Syracuse University Art Collections Syracuse University Art Galleries January 5-February 3, 1985 Mitchell Museum John R. and Eleanor R. Mitchell Foundation Mt. Vernon, Illinois The Paris Exposition might also be viewed as one of the itarian nature of these vessels, their elegantly iridized and first occasions where artists concerned with the aesthetics patterned surfaces, and their fusion of decoration and associated with Art Nouveau would begin to disseminate composition illustrate the basic principles of Art Nouveau the ideals of this style to an ever widening audience. Art with a mastery often lacking in other areas of this style's Nouveau would go on to captivate the artistic imagination application. of both Europe and America until its decline soon after the First World War. Emile Galle chose to decorate his glass ware with soft, subtly colored flowers floating on atmospheric, cloudy The basic principles of Art Nouveau had their foundation grounds. The Brothers Daum followed his lead, and pro­ in the English Arts and Crafts movement that was created duced cameo glass equal to Galle's inspired creations. soon after the midpoint of the nineteenth century. Its main exponents, artist William Morris and philosopher John The Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company captured the Ruskin, espoused the view that art should be both beauti­ patina of ancient glass with its Favrile iridizing techniques. ful and useful. They fought for a return to some of the The fluid, organic forms they created, with their subdued standards of simplicity, beauty, and craftsmanship that tones and ornamentation display the decorative unity so were associated with earlier, pre-industrial times. highly esteemed at the time. Artists involved with Art Nouveau embraced these points In Europe, the firm of Loetz Witwe produced glass objects of view, while expanding its principles to include a return with a graceful metallic lustre that came close to Tiffany's. to the observation and imitation of nature. Theyabandon­ Together, they inspired a whole range of art glass produc­ ed the straight line in favor of the whiplash and used tion: Frederick Carder's elegant, iridescent Aurene ware; asymmetrical composition in an attempt to reproduce the the Quezal Art Glass and Decorating Company's glass line forms of botanical growth. The Art Nouveau advocates (the founders of the company were formerly employed by rejected established academic traditions and the conven­ Tiffany Glass, where they learned their techniques); and tional historical revivals. They searched out artistic prece­ the Vineland Flint (who kept the Tiffany tradition alive by dent in areas that were then unpopular and less well hiring as their artistic director the son of the founder of known. Certain styles that sprang from distant eras and Quezal Art Glass). Syracuse Universityexotic Art cultures seemed Galleries to fulfill their own aspirations: the Middle Ages, the orient and the Middle East, and the re­ Clement Massier's pottery combined iridescent glaze, Introduction cently excavated artifacts of classical civilization. These muted decoration, and design inspired by the Near East to The Paris Exposition Universelle International of 1889 has artists sought to emphasize the structure of the object form vessels of striking originality. His pupil, Jacques a two-fold significance for the Syracuse University Art Col­ through its decoration, uniting both to form an organic Sicard, was brought to America by the firm of Weller Pot­ lections' holdings in Art Nouveau glass and pottery. Over whole. Most importantly, they refused to maintain the tery to recreate his master's innovations. Sicard went on to half of the artists or firms represented therein were in long-standing distinction between fine and decorative arts produce ceramics that set bright glazes off against simple attendance at that exhibition, either as participants or as and hoped to make beautiful everyday surroundings and hand modeled forms. The Sicard-Weller line of art pottery visitors. Emile Galle, Glasfabrik Loetz Witwe, and Clement objects of daily use. In so doing, the attempt was made to would soon rival Tiffany's glass in popular appeal. Massier displayed recent innovations in their artistic lines. create a new aestheticism with widespread appeal. They Galle showed examples of his recently developed cameo differed from the Arts and Crafts artists in their use of the In little over thirty years, the creations of the Art Nouveau glass, Glasfabrik Loetz Witwe displayed glass in imitation new materials and techniques that were a by-product of craftsmen would alter forever the public's attitude towards of hard stones, Massier offered pottery with iridescent the new industrialization. These scientific developments art in their lives. It continues to be relevant to us today 24. Tiffany glaze. The Daum brothers, Antonin and Auguste, and encouraged Art Nouveau artists towards experimentation when we are able to view this style as a significant contri­ Louis C. Tiffany were among the many spectators struck and innovation. butor to the changes that have paved the way for our own by these exhibitors. The Daums, already involved in glass modern artistic era. production, were inspired by the Galle pieces to create In Europe and the United States some of the strongest their own art glass. Tiffany took note of the work of Loetz evocations of Art Nouveau were to be found in the areas of Thomas Piche Witwe and Galle, and soon after began to create his own glass and ceramics. The plastic nature of the materials Public Information Officer line of commercial ware. used in crafting glass and pottery readily lent itself to the Everson Museum organic and botanical compositions they sought. The uti!- Syracuse, New York On the cover: 26. Tiffany Daum Nancy, Nancy, France (founded 1878) bined his love of art and nature, decorating his vessels tion of a colorful butterfly's wings. Loetz, along with Tif­ with floral and insect motifs. This sort of ornamentation fany, is credited with the most creative use of iridescent Jean Daum was a lawyer and something of an entrepren­ would become a hallmark of Galle's oeuvre. glass, and isjoinUy responsible for its surge in popUlarity eurwhen he came into possession of a failing glass factory during the Art Nouveau period. in 1878 in Nancy, France (Verrerie de Nancy). His son, Galle explored numerous methods of working with this Auguste (1853-1909), also a lawyer by profession, en­ medium. The best known of these is cameo glass. It is Max von Spaun died in 1909, leaving his son to direct the tered the glass business in 1879 in a managerial position. produced by a technique that involves a cutting away of glassworks. The firm was not faring well financially, and in He took it upon himself to get the firm onto a secure the surface of a vessel to leave a design in relief. Galle first 1911 went into bankruptcy, to be reorganized as a smaller financial footing. Another son, Antonin (1864-1931), exhibited cameo glass at the Paris Exposition of 1889; it company. It continued a limited and less inventive pro­ fresh from school with an engineering degree, took over met with immediate success. duction until it closed its doors during World War II. the production side of the business in 1887. While Galle was responsible for a good portion of the Up until 1890, the factory had been producing commer­ objects made by his firm, he employed a large number of cial tableware and watch glasses. During that year, a designers in his factory. All their innovations had to be bed-ridden Antonin designed the firm's first cameo art submitted for his approval. Consequently, there is an ar­ glass pieces which were to change the direction of the tistic cohesion in the over-all designs of the line. factory's output. Inspired in part by Galle's cameo glass, these early pieces were decorated with floral motifs. The After Galle's death in 1904, the firm's glassware was char­ next year, a decorating shop was opened and full scale acterized by a certain mass-produced quality; no new, production of an art glass line was begun. By 1900, Daum major forms were developed. It continued production un­ began taking prizes at major exhibitions for their innova­ til 1931, with a brief closure during the first World War. tions in art glass, especially in acid-etched cameo. Throughout the years, the glassworks has remained Glasfabrik Johann Loetz Witwe, under the directorship of the Daum family. They have been able to keep abreast of the decorative trends that I\lostermuhle, Austria (1840-c.1940) have evolved since the Art Nouveau period and continue Johann Loetz purchased a glasshouse in Klostermuhle, the production of art glass today. Austria in 1840. He was a master glassmaker and his firm Syracuse Universitysoon Art gained a reputation Galleries for the production of high qual­ ity glass. At his death in 1848, the glassworks was taken Bmile Galle (french, 1846-1904) over by his wife, Susanne, who named the firm Glasfabrik Johann Loetz Witwe ("Widow Johann Loetz Glassworks"). Galle is, undoubtedly, the quintessential Art Nouveau aesthetician. He created important and influential designs Johann Loetz's grandson, Max Ritter von Spaun, took over not only in glass, but in a whole range of decorative ob­ the firm in 1879. He initiated a vast range of different types jects including furniture and ceramics. of glass and within 10 years, Loetz was winning awards at various European exhibitions. Galle became involved with glass early on - his father, Charles, was owner of a firm that produced tableware, and By 1900, Loetz was one of the largest and most successful Galle's earliest apprenticeship was at his father's shop.