Lalique's legacy

Week 14's colours are Cornflower Blue, Misty Grey, Sand & Heather

Yesterday was the birthday of an artist and designer who remains incredibly relevant today, with the glassworks he started in the 1920s now run as a luxury goods brand by his granddaughter.

René Lalique (1860–1945) was a visionary French jeweller and glass maker, a major influence on both the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements with his perfume bottles, chandeliers, vases, and jewellery.

Born in Ay, France, he went on to study at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris before continuing his training in London. It was here that he was influenced by British naturalism and the Arts & Crafts movement. These shaped his distinctive aesthetic, which celebrated organic forms, flowing lines and a deep respect for craftsmanship.

“To seek beauty is a more worthy aim than to display luxury.” - René Lalique

He initially worked for jewellers such as Boucheron, Cartier and Gariod before establishing his own atelier in 1885. By the start of the 20th century he had become one of the most celebrated designer of Art Nouveau jewellery, partly through his use of unconventional materials such as horn, glass, enamel and semi-precious stones. His work was nature-inspired and most often featured the female figure, flora and fauna.

In the late 1900s, Lalique began experimenting with glass and his first commissions were for bespoke perfume bottles for Coty and other perfumers.

He purchased the Combs-la-Ville Glassworks where he focussed on techniques that allowed production in larger quantities and at a lower cost. By the 1920s had established his own glass factory in the Alsace region where he produced glass works ranging from perfume bottles and vases to chandeliers and car mascots. These were often marked by a signature combination of frosted and clear glass, intricate relief patterns and fluid, sculptural forms.

For the 1925 Paris Exposition, Lalique produced a spectacular glass fountain which was a highlight of the event. Further commissions soon followed for luxury projects ranging from the Orient Express to ocean liners. His designs embodied Art Deco's sleek elegance and modern sensibility.

Despite his fame, Lalique remained deeply connected to the artistic process, often sketching his own designs and insisting on technical perfection.

These days, the company he founded continues as a maker of luxury goods and has expanded into fragrances. You can see the company’s timeline on their website. Although their works are found in the collections of major art museums across the world, many designs were mass produced and can easily be found in antique shops or on online auction sites.

Here’s the website for the Lalique Museum and a link to video showing their glass making process.

“Cameléons”, mother-of-pearl, blue enamel and gold, René Lalique, ~ 1900

Colour Combination

The chosen colours this week are Cornflower Blue, Misty Grey, Sand & Heather. Use the colours along with a contrasting dark and neutral light colour if you wish. Create an artwork in any medium or style.

I love seeing what you’ve create. If you’re posting on Instagram, please tag #coloricombo and #estemacleod and join us in the private Facebook group Creative Prompts.

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