Nancy Flowers of Lorraine - V&A Exclusive

The historic capital of the ancient Duchy of Lorraine, Nancy has been a centre of trade, commerce and craftsmanship since the 11th century. But it was an artist and glassworker, Émile Gallé, who, around the turn of the 20th century, made his native city internationally famous as the vanguard of the Art Nouveau style. As the founder of the École de Nancy, Gallé unified a group of artists from Lorraine who would electrify the world with their spectacular creations – energetic, elegant and deeply rooted in a close and passionate observation of local flowers, fruits and creatures. This was apparent no more so than at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, which presented to the world the climactic achievement of the style commonly known as Art Nouveau. Among the visitors enthralled by the École’s achievements was George Donaldson, representative of the South Kensington Museum (shortly to be renamed the V&A). Thanks to his vision and enthusiasm, the V&A has an extensive collection of some of the best Style Nancy productions. We are therefore pleased to announce a very special collaboration between the V&A and Art Pursuits Abroad in 2020. Led by Dr Justine Hopkins, the collaboration will combine a 2-day introductory course at the V&A with our popular APA Nancy study tour. Emile Gallé believed passionately in a world where there could be art in everything, for everyone. This unique course and tour combination will explore the many and varied ways in which he and his colleagues set about making that vision come true.