The love of lighting should be spared by none, including children. And that is exactly what the author Casie Kesterson has done in this amusing adventure story, The Goldfish in the Chandelier. This illuminating tale takes place just outside of Paris in the early 1800s where a lighting designer by the name of Uncle Henri is creatively blocked. He can’t figure out a new chandelier design for a lighting project that he was commissioned to design for an elaborate home in Paris.
Source Barnes & Nobles
Unsure of where to go for inspiration, Uncle Henri turns to his young nephew, Louis Alexandre. Finding inspiration in the youth’s imagination, the youngster evokes dazzling ideas that were inspired by Alexander the Great and some of the first hot-air balloon flights that took place over Paris. Together they ride the wave of creativity and create a chandelier like never before. This story was inspired by the artist Gérard-Jean Galle’s infamous chandelier, as seen in the J. Paul Getty Museum (and shown below). The book was written for children ages 7 to 10.
Source Getty Museum of Art
The chandelier by Gérard-Jean Galle, just like in the story was inspired by hot air balloons and features a blue lacquered globe with gold stars above the chandelier’s glass bowl. Incorporated into the design are the twelve signs of the zodiac, these wrap around the globe on a gilt bronze band.
Source Getty Museum of Art
The chandelier was originally exhibited in 1819, and Galle described it as a lustre à poisson (or the fish chandelier). Although it is currently in the Getty Museum of Art, the chandelier was not well received when it was first introduced.
Source Getty Museum of Art
In fact in 1920 Galle had attempted to sell it to the French King Louis XVIII. He desperately pleaded with the King to purchase the chandelier and other goods that he claimed were causing dire financial ruin to his family. Although no matter how much he pleaded the government rejected his offer.
Source Getty Museum of Art
