Art Nouveau presents itself with good reason as breaking with the styles of the past, and promoting a "modern" environment based on a revival of forms and decorations. From the point of view of work produced, on the other hand, and this in spite of its social aspirations, it belongs to the tradition of the often-expensive technical experiments that brought fame to the luxury goods industries in France throughout the 19th century and until the early 20th century.

The objects as well as the preparatory drawings presented in this exhibition are evidence of the sophistication that French manufactories and creative artists brought to the art of living.