Author(s): Maria Fernanda Passos Leite

Fashion

Documenting the authoritative collection of works by the Art Deco/Art Nouveau glass virtuoso

René Lalique (1860-1945) and the British Armenian businessman and philanthropist Calouste Gulbenkian were friends for more than 50 years. Between 1899 and 1927 Gulbenkian acquired 80 exceptional works of art directly from the artist. "My admiration for his unique work increased throughout the 50 years our friendship lasted," he later testified; "I am proud to own, I believe, the largest number of Lalique's works." Today these are held in a dedicated space at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon.
Gulbenkian's authoritative collection of jewelry, art objects, artistic glass and drawings is documented in this handsome catalog, which was first published in 2009 and quickly went out of print, becoming highly sought after. René Lalique at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum offers readers the full sweep of Lalique's activity.