Henri Vever: champion de l'Art nouveau by Willa Z. Silverman (review)

Through her refreshing look into the world of precious stones and jewelry at the turn of the twentieth century, Willa Silverman delves into exciting new territory of Art nouveau jeweler and collector Henri Vever. The book, both the 60-page preface and the journal entries written in French, spans the gamut of Vever's interests from his passion for Japanese art to his work as a promoter of the modern style. The preface along with the family tree expertly set up Vever's journal entries from 1898, a significant political turning point in European history. Moreover, the journals reveal that, as a craftsman, Vever contributed to the emergence of modern jewelry, often inspired by nature, and show how his work played a key role in the development of Art nouveau in Paris. Full of insight into the demands of his work as a collector, the cahiers provide a rare peek into the social, political, cultural, and daily life of Vever, who, at the turn of the twentieth century, sought a careful balance between business and social prestige. Original in its content and insightful in its analysis, the book chronicles Vever's triumphs and struggles as a jeweler and collector and paints a very colorful picture of his life. The impressive range of photos of artwork and of Vever himself, particularly the 8-page color spread showcasing Vever's own creations, offer a vivid picture of early twentieth-century jewelry and its burgeoning modern style. A delightful read, Vever's detailed journal entries often relate detailed accounts of Parisian life, his bicycle rides and frequent excursions to the French countryside involving witty anecdotes full of twists and turns like the Art nouveau style itself. Overall, the book highlights some fascinating elements of Vever's career as an amateur painter, art lover, and modern art collector citing his affiliations with various figures in the field, most notably his contemporary René Lalique, at a critical moment in European history. The extensive bibliography including books, museums, and websites provides a wealth of information for further study into the world of precious stones and art collecting that still have merit today. This book will not only tempt the palate of readers who appreciate Art nouveau and the influence this style had on other art forms, but will also appeal to those readers with a keen interest in modernist art history and French culture.