Musee Lalique
How different this year has been, how much I would like to visit my beloved Italy, how lucky we are to be able to travel at all. This past month the borders between EU countries opened allowing its citizens and residents to visit their neighboring countries. While this freedom comes with a lot of restrictions and while hotspots are certainly being avoided, masks and social distancing iare allowing many families, including mine, to enjoy a summer holiday before the rigors of September and the delicate balance of distance and work and school become so central to our lives again. Many of my friends are taking the opportunity to discover the beauties of other areas of Austria. We are lucky enough to have family in Germany whom we can visit.
Over the last week we have been driving around, exploring the countryside and stopping briefly in small towns for an ice cream and a few photos. I had thought that this would be a chance to draw and paint more intensively, but my sketchbook has remained nearly empty. I am focussing almost soley on collecting reference photos and absorbing the feel, sights, and smells of the different places. I know that before this is over I will spend many more hours at home. These photos can be used then. They will more than pay me back for time lost on art.
This has been an unusual vacation in that we have not really visited many museums. Normally we see several, but we are being careful. We did however cross the border into Alsace, and visit the Musee Lalique, that iconic brand of glass and crystal manufacturers.
It is a small museum, housed in a lovely, square, farm style bulding. Modern glass elements set off the charms of the old building. Black interior walls create a dramatic backdrop for the delicate pieces on display.
Perhaps most famous for their perfume bottles, Lalique creates a large portfolio of artistic and decorative pieces. The Shark pictured below is especially intriguing.
The crystal jewelry reminded me of Swarovski pieces available today, just much more intricately made.
As an artist I was especially thankful that many of the old comission and design sketches had been framed. They provided an insight into the creative process of the individually planning the pieces.
As I mentioned above the perfume bottles are what naturally spring to mind when hearing the name 'Lalique', and there were many to look at. I found it interesting that the tops of the bottles were so ornate. Perhaps I am wrong but it seems that often it is the flask that is especially beautiful and the topper is simple and small. These were the opposite. I am including a few different styles; etched, molded, pressed. They are extremely beautiful.
The section with dining accessories was lovely. Large fish or hunting motives were displayed, presumable for mantlepieces or buffets. The carafes were also lovely and diverse.
There was a section of fish themed pieces. This vase is covered with a swarm of tumultus fish. The detail is wonderful.
A large display cabinet housed pieces inspired by patterns occuring in nature. The rise of naturalism around the turn of the last century brought both microspopic and exotic images and artists of the time incorporated these into their work.
The museum was small but a true gem. Well worth the trip. There is a cafe connected to it which was closed on the day we went.
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