Lluis Masriera,
the third generation of Masriera jewelers, caught Barcelona by surprise and
achieved "overnight success" in 1901. He was born into a family and
into a culture where the arts and society overlap. His jeweler father was also
a painter, and his uncles and cousins were painters, sculptors, musicians, and
literary critics. From an early age, Lluis was given a connoisseur's training
in the arts. He would later publish an art journal, write, paint, design his
store interiors and exhibition spaces, modernize his jewelry manufacturing
facilities, and become fully involved in the performing arts.
A crucial moment
arrived for Lluis when he visited Paris to see the 1900 International
Exhibition, where the Art Nouveau style reigned supreme. It was here that the
jewelry of René Lalique received its highest acclaim. The extraordinary
enamelwork, technical skill, and imaginative jewels of Lalique struck a deep
chord with Lluis. The traditional story says he returned, closed the store, and
melted the stock of jewelry to create it anew. While there is no documentation
to this effect, the investment in time, materials, and effort to create these
new pieces was considerable. Though he was only in his late twenties, Lluis had
taken a daring step and moved the firm in a new direction.
The jewelry of
Lluis Masriera has a sense of harmony, proportion and wonderful color. His drawings center on the Art Nouveau
themes of women and nature. The female form is very often depicted in full
length, a wonderful excuse to show off beautiful modeling and drapery. His
floral pieces have a lightness and delicacy that is unusual and appealing. 
