Around 1900, La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Swiss Jura developed into a center for enamel art and applied arts. Closely linked to the watchmaking industry, the artisans there combined technical precision with artistic design.
At the École d’arts appliqués de La Chaux-de-Fonds, where André Evard (1876–1972) and Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier) (1887-1965) also studied, craftsmanship was systematically promoted—particularly in metal, engraving, and enamel. Under the direction of Charles L’Eplattenier (1874–1946), the “Style Sapin” (“Fir Style”) emerged here, a regionally influenced form of Art Nouveau inspired by the nature of the Jura Mountains.
The enamel work by André Evard (1876-1972) shows a stylized fir tree in an abstract formal language. The dark, central figure reveals the silhouette of a conifer extending vertically across the pictorial surface. The fir is surrounded by soft, flowing skies in dark blue. A network of curved, ornamental lines lies over the conifer, giving the depiction additional structure as well as an almost rhythmic movement. Golden accents provide luminous contrasts and highlight individual sections. Overall, the work combines the natural form of the fir with an abstract, decorative pictorial design.