Studio: international art (10.1897)

The Decora the Art Movement in Paris

obstinate minds and tastes. And there is no im- " Art Nouveau " and the " Galerie Laffitte," which

partial observer but must in all sincerity recognise are highly in favour with art lovers in search of

how greatly the example of England has aided the novel work, is a further proof of the good-will of

efforts of our artists in this direction. the public towards the decorative art of the day.

The recent display by a little group of five MM. Felix Aubert, Alexandre Charpentier, Jean

distinct personalities at the Galerie des Artistes Dampt, Henry Nocq, and Charles Plumet are the

Modernes, in the Rue Caumartin—an exhibition five exhibitors at the Rue Caumartin. They are

which will be repeated with increasing frequency united in their aims, in addition to being allied by

in proportion to the extent of these gentlemen's community of ideas and mutual ambition. Their

productions—is worthy of special mention in this desire is to show the public work not designed to

connection, for it produced an excellent impression be unique, but such as can be executed in the

on the sceptical, blase Parisian. A success such as ordinary course of labour—articles of everyday

this, together with that of establishments like the use, that is, within the reach of all. In this lies

the chief interest their work
^ r^ljij^ : 1 inspires, and it were impos-

M. Felix Aubert in his
^J^M^j, decorative compositions in
"Trf cretonnes, silks, printed

EfQ c" - velvets, and carpets, has the

i MisB rare gift — rarer than one
bjk / thinks, in these days when

wmmmm^ ■ the majority of designers
Irvj^Pyyifj and manufacturers of these
k&bA'flff materials are content to
F^jvJ^jj copy, and disfigure, English
Ills patterns—of being able to

E9/f Jfij retain his personality. 'Mis
schemes are always simple
Ijfrjjfr" j|j and consistent, and con-
fined to the rational use of
wtig§£ floral forms, according to

^^g^^ their nature and their colour-
ing. At times, perhaps, they
are rather too simple, if sim-
plicity can ever be thought

occasionally apt to appear
hard and monotonous. This,
for instance, is the case in
h is Sunflower patterns, which
must be considered inferior
to his Iris hangings and his
Lily pattern velvet, the first
a most successful harmony
of line and colour, and the

the stamp of true decorative

\l0^^/ttS3^^^^^^ ability. The Peacock carpet

I is richly designed, and M.
^ Aubert has succeeded in
nivine originality to an oft-

KOOKCASE BY CHARLES PLUMET »' » & •>