The work of Maurice Pillard Verneuil brought the craft of ornamental decoration to prominence in France at the turn of the century. From the exotic tiger lily to the lowly bindweed, the form and decorative potential of plants fascinated him. A student of Eugene Grasset, Verneuil's attention to detail and composition produced a range of decorative effects. Much as William Morris had done in England, Verneuil produced designs for wallpapers. He was an advocate of the importance of colour in both pleasing the eye and influencing the emotions. His arrangement of decorative elements, from the very simple to the highly elaborate, make Verneuil's work identifiable with Art Nouveau style.