Chrysler Presents Comprehensive Look at Glass Master René Lalique

NORFOLK, Va. (Aug. 9, 2017) — The Chrysler Museum of Art showcases one of the most talented and influential French designers of the 20th century, René Lalique, in its new exhibition René Lalique: Enchanted by Glass. This comprehensive look at the Lalique’s career traces the development of his artistry and innovation through displays of glass decor, jewelry, production molds and design drawings. The exhibition is on view from Sept. 15 through Jan. 21, 2018. Admission is free.

Trained through an apprenticeship with Parisian jewelry designer Louis Aucoc in the Art Nouveau style, Lalique (1860-1945) freelanced for Cartier and Boucheron before opening his own shop in 1885. Within five years, his designs were the favorite of the era’s celebrities, including famed theater actress Sarah Bernhardt. His experiments with glass in jewelry led him to explore the further applications of glass, such as his beautifully crafted perfume bottles for perfumer François Coty.

Lalique received wide acclaim on the international stage when he displayed his jewelry at the 1900 Paris Exposition, which attracted nearly 50 million visitors from around the world. By 1909, he was mass-producing perfume bottles in his factory, which continues to produce crystal tablewares, jewelry, and perfume bottles.

René Lalique: Enchanted by Glass focuses on Lalique’s influential work in the Art Deco style, exploring decades of creativity. He produced jewelry, medallions, bottles, tableware, smoking accessories, lamps, clocks and even automobile mascots, more commonly known as radiator caps or hood ornaments. He embraced industrial innovation and eventually mass-produced luxury glass for the common household. The exhibition incorporates over 200 pieces. It provides insight into his methods of production dating from about 1893 to Lalique’s death in 1945, and includes one of his patent applications.

“The opportunity to exhibit an extensive collection of works by an important French artist such as Lalique comes along infrequently,” said Diane C. Wright, Barry Curator of Glass. “We are thrilled to be able to present this show to the Hampton Roads community and to broaden the public’s understanding of glass production and design coming from France in the 20th century.”

The exhibition originated at the Corning Museum of Glass, which holds the largest collection of Lalique materials at a public institution. It was curated by Kelley Elliott, the assistant curator for modern and contemporary glass. The Chrysler Museum of Art’s presentation will include additional Lalique works from private collectors and the Chrysler’s permanent collection.

René Lalique: Enchanted by Glass is on view from Sept. 15 to Jan. 21, 2018. Admission is free.

PROGRAMMING

Exhibition Opening and Reception

Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017

Get the first look at our fall keynote exhibition at our special roaring twenties soiree! Enjoy a comprehensive look at one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, live jazz performances, and a speakeasy lounge. Admission is free for all Museum Members. Tickets for all others are $15. RSVP by Wednesday, September 6. https://reservations.chrysler.org

Tour and Demo: Lalique Inside and Out

Friday, Sept. 15, 2017

6:15 p.m. Tour and 7 p.m. Lecture/Demo ? Free

At 6:15 p.m., Barry Curator of Glass Diane Wright will give a private tour of Rene Lalique: Enchanted by Glass, followed by a 7 p.m. lecture/demonstration, “Lalique Inside and Out: A Studio Approach to Process and Techniques” by Amie McNeel at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio. Refreshments will be served at a cash bar. RSVP online. Admission is $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers.

#ChryslerLalique

Use this hashtag whenever you post images or comments about the exhibition on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and your other favorite social media sites.

CATALOG

A fully illustrated exhibition catalogue examining Lalique’s life and career accompanies the show and is available in The Museum Shop for $75.

ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART

The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished mid-sized art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The core of the Chrysler’s collection comes from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid art collector who donated thousands of objects from his private collection to the Museum. In the years since Chrysler’s death in 1988, the Museum has dramatically enhanced its collection and extended its ties with the Norfolk community. The Museum, expanded in 2014 to add additional gallery spaces and amenities for visitors, now has growing collections in many areas. The Chrysler also mounts an ambitious schedule of exhibitions and educational programs and events each season.

In 2011, the Chrysler opened the Perry Glass Studio adjacent to the Museum. This state-of-art, working facility offers programming for aspiring and master artists alike in a variety of processes including glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, coldworking, and neon. The Studio also has earned a reputation for its cutting-edge performance evenings that mix live glassmaking with visual, musical, culinary, and performing arts. The Perry Glass Studio recently was the site of the prestigious 2017 Glass Art Society Conference.

In addition, the Chrysler Museum of Art administers two historic houses in downtown Norfolk: the Moses Myers House and the Willoughby-Baylor House.

The Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place, Norfolk, and its Perry Glass Studio at 745 Duke St., are open to the public Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Historic Houses on East Freemason Street are open weekends. General admission is free at all venues. For more information on the Chrysler Museum of Art, visit chrysler.org.