You may know of Gallé, Guimard and Gaudi, but when you think of Art Nouveau, the name of Alexandre Charpentier isn't necessarily the first to come to mind. It's true that his work only spanned a twenty-year period, but his work was nonetheless important in fhelping the Art Nouveau style to evolve.

He started off as an apprentice at a jewellers, later engraved medals, and eventually became proficient in carving bas-reliefs. Amazingly he was also at ease with plaster, marble, bronze, gold, silver, pewter, zinc, stoneware, earthenware, stained glass, mosaic, engraving, chromolithography, embossed paper, wallpaper, and of course painting and drawing! This led to him creating some amazing pieces in a variety of styles, many of which will be shown during the exhibition.

A cycle of six concerts will also be held, showing the influence of music in Charpentier's work.

Here's all the essential information for the Alexandre Charpentier exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay

When: 22nd January - 13th April 2008
Where: Musée d'Orsay, 1, rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7th arrondissement. Métro Solferino (line 12) or RER Musée d'Orsay (line C), or bus n°s 24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 94 (map here)
Opening times: Open every day except Monday, 9.30am to 6pm (9.45pm on Thursdays)
Entrance fee: 7.50 euros (covers both the main and temporary exhibition). Concessions: 5.50 euros. Free admission for certain cases
Official Museum site: Musée d'Orsay
More information about the exhibition: here.