The Essence of Émile Gallé at the Musée d’Orsay (Part 2)

Browsing Public Domain Artwork of World Museums

No.011

Hand with Seaweed and Shells 1904 H33.4 cm Dia. 13.4 cm Musée d’Orsay
Emile Gallé
La Main aux algues et aux coquillages
1904
Cristal partiellement soufflé et modelé à chaud, inclusions, applications, gravé à la roue
H. 33,4 ; L. 13,4 cm.
Don, 1990
© Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt

The term “public domain” refers to public intellectual property that is not copyrighted. There are art museums around the world that offer open online access to works in their collections. Here, we highlight works that have entered the public domain and redefine the appeal of such collections.

This series introduces collections from museums around the world that are made available online, each centered on a specific theme. Following the previous installment, this edition features Émile Gallé, a leading figure of Art Nouveau. The year 2024 marks the 120th anniversary of Émile Gallé’s death. In the second part, we will also discuss selected masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay collection, chosen by Ruriko Tsuchida, director of the Toyama Glass Art Museum.

From the 1890s onwards, Gallé’s artistry increasingly developed symbolism and paved the way for new expressions.

(Back to Part 1)

2024.09.20

Mysterious Grapes

The lidded bottle Mysterious Grapes from 1892 is also regarded as one of Gallé’s masterpieces from his middle period. Count Robert de Montesquiou, a poet and a central figure at the Paris Salon, is said to have presented Gallé, who was also his friend, with a newly composed poem. Recognizing the significance of this gesture for his own creative work, Gallé inscribed Montesquiou’s poem on this piece as a token of gratitude and gifted it to him.

Lidded bottle Mysterious Grapes 1892 H40 cm Dia. 12.5 cm Musée d’Orsay
Inscription and date on the lower part of the body: To Count R. Montesquiou / To the good poet who inspires glassmakers / 1892
Inscription in both intaglio and relief on the body: Leurs grappes de clartés, leurs pulpes de lumière, / Raisins mystérieux… / Où l’espalier divin a des treilles de flammes / Dont le feux sont des pleurs et les grains des yeux! / Montesquiou [Their clusters of light, their pulps of light, / Mysterious grapes... / Where the divine espalier has trellises of flames / Whose fires are tears and whose grains are eyes! / Montesquiou]
Emile Gallé
Raisins mystérieux
1892
Flacon, verre à deux couches à inclusions métalliques (or et platine), cabochons appliqués à chaud, décor gravé à la roue, bouchon en verre soufflé opalescent, socle en poirier sculpté et teinté
H. 40,0 ; L. 12,5 cm
Don Mme Jean Bourgogne et de ses enfants, en souvenir de Jean Bourgogne (1903-1999) petit-fils d'Emile Gallé par l'intermédiaire de la société des Amis du musée d'Orsay, 2000
©RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski

The Last Glass Work: Hand with Seaweed and Shells

At the Exposition Universelle de 1900: Paris, Gallé’s works, rich in symbolism, received high acclaim and earned him illustrious fame. However, due to the hardships he had endured, Gallé passed away from leukemia in 1904. The Hand with Seaweed and Shells was Gallé’s final glass work. The hand, which has long been submerged on the sea floor, is entwined with shells and seaweed, presenting a deathly appearance. At the same time, it reaches out towards the sky, reflecting a yearning for life. This piece stands as a sculptural masterpiece that can be considered Gallé’s final testament.

Hand with Seaweed and Shells, 1904, H33.4 cm, Dia.13.4 cm, Musée d’Orsay
Emile Gallé
La Main aux algues et aux coquillages
1904
Cristal partiellement soufflé et modelé à chaud, inclusions, applications, gravé à la roue
H. 33,4 ; L. 13,4 cm.
Don, 1990
© Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt

(Back to Part 1)

Japanese original text: Ruriko Tsuchida (Director, Toyama Glass Art Museum)
Translation: Kae Shigeno

*Toyama Glass Art Museum will host the exhibition “Commemorating the 120th Anniversary of His Death Émile Gallé: Longing for Paris” from November 2(Sat.), 2024, to January 26(Sun.), 2025.

Musée d’Orsay
The building that houses the Musée d’Orsay was originally constructed as a railway station and hotel for the Exposition Universelle de 1900: Paris. In 1986, it was renovated to become a museum dedicated to 19th-century art. The museum’s collection includes approximately 70,000 items, such as paintings, sculptures, furniture, decorative arts, architectural works, drawings, and photographs, with 4,000 pieces on permanent display.
https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en

Location: Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris, France
General admission for permanent and featured exhibitions: €16 online, €14 at the museum
*Please check this page for details.

The Essence of Émile Gallé at the Musée d’Orsay (Part 1) ＞＞