Jacques Gruber et l’Art nouveau, un parcours décoratif

This catalogue, which accompanies the exhibition that just opened at the galeries Poirel, describes in detail the career of one of the main representatives of that famous Ecole de Nancy, which also gave wings to Majorelle, Gallé and the Daum brothers. As part of the second generation of this creative group, Jacques Gruber (1870-1936) is known in particular for his stained glass peopled with vegetables and birds. They are commented even when they are not visible in the exhibition for they remained in place at the Crédit lyonnais (decor of clematis), at the Gaudin home (Village au bord d’un lac), at the Luc home (Paysage vosgien), at the brasserie Excelsior or at villa Majorelle, all buildings located in Nancy. The fields in which Gruber’s participation is less known are largely detailed: decorations on lamps for Daum, wood work with Louis Majorelle (the table la Source) and even book binding with René Wiener. Understandably he clearly deserves the qualification of a «multiform» artist given to him in the introduction texts.

• Jacques Gruber et l’Art nouveau, un parcours décoratif, collective work, Gallimard, 2011, 240 p., 35 €.