Lalique Museum Netherlands - Doesburg

Two stately monuments and a restored former knight's building from 1286, in Doesburg in Gelderland, house the Lalique Museum Netherlands.. The museum is entirely dedicated to the life and work of French silversmith and glass artist René Jules Lalique (1860-1945). Lalique was also called the Da Vinci of jewellery and glass. At the age of 16, René Lalique began his training with the Parisian jeweller Louis Aucoc, to continue his studies at Sydenham Art College in London.

Lalique's works are considered art nouveau and art deco; he was among the most important jewellery designers of the time. His sources of inspiration were flora, fauna and female forms. For his jewellery, the artist used unusual materials such as glass, enamel, leather, shells, horn and semi-precious stones. Furthermore, Lalique designed perfume vials, vases, bowls, lamps and other unusual objects.

The museum has a permanent collection of the works of René Lalique (the largest in the world) and there are changing exhibitions with works by other exceptional artists from the period 1850-1950.

Photos: ©Linda Roelfszema