Émile Gallé

French artist and designer, 1846-1904

Émile Gallé's father owned a factory for glassware and a faience factory in Nancy. At the age of sixteen Gallé went to work for the family business as an assistant to his father, making floral designs and emblems for both faience and glass. After studying philosophy and natural sciences in Germany, Gallé worked as an apprentice at a glass factory in Meisenthal. In 1874 he took over the family business and soon expanded. He founded shops in Paris, Frankfurt and London and led the company to international success with his innovative designs. More than 300 employees worked for the company in 1889. Émile Gallé is considered to be the most important artist of French Art Nouveau in the applied arts.

Source: Wikipedia