Vaas met veelkleurig décor c. 1900

This vase with multi-colored décor was made by the Gérard et Duffraisseix factory. The floral motifs recall the Art Nouveau style that was in vogue at the turn of the twentieth century. It can be seen as part of the broader Arts and Crafts movement which valued handcrafted objects, and took inspiration from the natural world. In France, Art Nouveau was also driven by institutional forces. Schools of decorative arts encouraged a revival of traditional crafts, and museums showcased both historical and contemporary examples of fine art. Against the backdrop of rapid industrialization, these institutions promoted the idea of the artist-craftsman as a counterpoint to mass production. Yet, paradoxically, factories like Gérard et Duffraisseix were also embracing new technologies and mass production techniques to create affordable art for a wider audience. To understand the cultural context of this vase more fully, we might look at design journals and exhibition catalogues from the period. What did it mean to create beauty in an age of industry?