In the realm of decorative art belonging to La Chaux de Fonds, it was the Art School students studying with Charles L’Eplattenier who thought up the label “pine tree style” in the early 1900s; the term aptly defines their source of inspiration. No longer was there any call to resort to the “whiplash” style favoured by Victor Horta or Hector Guimard. Instead, one could seek out movement in the poetic rhythm of the pine trees and gentians dotting the horizon along the Jura mountains."The basis of our decorative style continues to be the pine tree. At its various ages, this tree offers endless decorative possibilities when studied as a whole or in detail. Large silver thistles, gentians and the like, together with the local fauna, lushly complement these elements.”
Excerpts taken from the Rapport de la Commission de l'Ecole d'art, 1911-1912, p. 17.
