Upon the centenary of Emile Gallé's death, this conference will explore the rich cultural milieu of his native Nancy and Lorraine. Gallé was an extraordinary polymath: artist, author, critic, political activist, educator, botanist.

Emile Gallé Centenary: La Lorraine Artiste

Centre for the Study of Visual and Literary Cultures in France at the University of Bristol

18 and 19 September 2004

Deadline: 31 March 2004


Upon the centenary of Emile Gallé's death, this conference will explore
the rich cultural milieu of his native Nancy and Lorraine. Gallé was an
extraordinary polymath: artist, author, critic, political activist,
educator, botanist.

To contextualise Gallé's career and its impact, papers are invited on a
range of themes relevant to the artistic, literary, historical and
scientific cultures of this complex region. The focus will be primarily
upon the nineteenth century in which Gallé lived and worked but
consideration of the eighteenth century, which played such an important
role on the formation of the aesthetics and style of the Ecole de Nancy,
would be welcome. The artistic climate of Nancy and Lorraine in the early
twentieth century after Gallé's death in 1904 would also be highly
relevant

This conference to be held on 18 and 19 September 2004 is organised under
the auspices of the Centre for the Study of Visual and Literary Cultures
in France at the University of Bristol Conference proceedings will be
considered for publication in an RAE accredited internet journal Art on
the line(http://www.waspress.co.uk/journals/artontheline/).


Please send paper proposals by email or post by 31 March 2004 to:

Dr Claire O'Mahony
Department of History of Art,
University of Bristol,
43 Woodland Road,
Bristol BS8 1UU,
United Kingdom

Claire.OMahony@bristol.ac.uk


Papers are invited on a range of topics which might include: The designed
objects of the Ecole de Nancy (Emile Gallé, Victor Prouvé, Louis
Majorelle, Camille Martin, etc; ceramics, furniture, glass, fashion,
bookbinding, etc) The critical reception of the art and literature of the
region The impact of eighteenth century art and experience in Nancy and
Lorraine upon the Ecole de Nancy The Ecole de Nancy and the formation Of regional art schools Writers of and about Lorraine (Maurice Barrès,
Alphonse Daudet, The Goncourts, Gustave Kahn, etc.)

The representation and memorialisation of Lorraine in times of war and
annexation (1870-1 and 1914-18) in literature and art Literary and
artistic journals in Lorraine Scientific and medical enquiry in Lorraine
and its impact on literary and artistic practice The socio-political
context of Nancy and Lorraine and its impact upon literary and artistic
practice.