The son of a Dutch immigrant, he was very early
interested in graphic arts. As soon as he was out of the Academy of Arts of
Cincinnati, he worked with Karl LANGENBECK in 1886 at Avon Pottery, before
joining Rookwood pottery in 1887. Then on to the Julian Art Academy, then to
the Fine Arts in Paris in 1893. After a brief stay in Italy in 1894 to study
art, he went back to Cincinnati in 1896 where he stayed three years at
Rockwood’s. His poor health forced him to go to Colorado in 1899 where he
fitted his oven which was fully active as soon as August 1901. In four years of
production, VAN BRIGGLE collected medals and prizes in the great international
events. From his works then emerged his formidable potential, rich in his
European experiences and influences, totally pervaded with Art Nouveau style.
He exploited the colour which became his own : a subtle turquoise blue borrowed
from the Ming dynasty, which he adapted to a whole range of hues. At his death
the workshop employed fourteen people and his wife Anne LAWRENCE GREGORY
(1868-1929) ran it until 1912. It was reorganized in 1910 into the VAN BRIGGLE
POTTERY AND TILE COMPANY. It successively went bankrupt in 1913, was bought in
1915, burnt down in 1919, then knew several changes of fortune until to-day
when, still active, it revives among others several of its founders’ models.
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