Lalique: Aesthetics

Question 1

Female Form

Answer 1

The female bust at the top of the brooch is nude and wearing a helmet with two beetles place on either side of her head.
The nudity would have caused controversy at the time it was made, appealing to a specific target audience.

Question 2

Dragonfly Wings

Answer 2

Instead of arms, the female figure has dragonfly wings from her shoulders which have been placed on hinges so that when it is worn on the body the wings “flutter”.
The movement would have caught the eye of other people and causing interest.

Question 3

Griffin/Dragonfly Creature

Answer 3

The figure is being devoured by the mouth of a hybrid griffin/dragonfly creature. The body is emerging from its open mouth. The creature has eagle claws that supports the wings at the front and the pin mechanism at the back.

Question 4

Art Nouveau

Answer 4

All the elements are very typical of the Art Nouveau period and shows the elegant aesthetic of the time.