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Eugène Gaillard
Eugène Gaillard—brother of Lucien Gaillard, distinguished Parisian jeweler—abandoned his career as a lawyer to pursue his passions in interior design. Initially drawn to sculpture, Gaillard soon found himself employed by Siegfried Bing, designing French Art Nouveau furniture and creating interiors for Bing’s now-renowned "L'Art Nouveau Bing” pavilion at the 1900 Universal Exposition in Paris. Working alongside the likes of Georges de Feure and Edouard Colonna, the abstract natural forms found in Gaillard’s furniture reflect motifs and themes found in flora and fauna, without being direct imitations. Regarding nature as a source of major inspiration, he never reproduced animal or plant forms, rather, transforming them into fantastic patterns within his pieces. Following this first opportunity to showcase his work at the Exposition, he became an instant success, establishing himself as a pillar in the modern Art Nouveau movement. By 1901, he was a co-founder of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs, established his own company in 1903, and published an essay, titled “À Propos du Mobilier,” in 1906, explaining his design approach to exquisite and elegant furniture.
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