The World’s Fair of 1900 is certainly the most famous, iconic event of the sweetness of life in the Belle Époque Paris. The celebration is at its height for the turn of the century, and the latest technologies are deployed: mobile pavement, projections on giant screen, visual immersions, observation of the moon with the telescope ... The 20th century opens magnificently.
Art Nouveau is hence highlighted, as a symbol of modernity and freedom. Émile Gallé triumphs, as well as Guimard, who is entrusted with the decoration of the “Metropolitain” subway, inaugurated during the Exhibition on July 14th. Siegfried Bing, Lalique, Louis Majorelle, new names are internationally discovered.
The biggest factories of the nineteenth century like Sèvres and Christofle also convert to these new forms. François Linke, faithful to the Louis XV style, pushes its exuberance to the extreme, joining the organic forms of Art Nouveau, and provokes astonishment and admiration.
