Tags
Art Deco, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Fashion Magazines, George Barbier, illustrators, Louis-Maurice Boutet de Monvel, Pierre Brissaud, Pochoirs
Pour St Moritz by George Barbier (Photo credit: Google Images)
I have been trying to understand the conflict in the Middle East, but had to pause because reports I read seemed to contradict one another.
It therefore occurred to me to send you an amusing post.
The Monvel are a dynasty. Bernard is the son of Louis-Maurice Boutet de Monvel (18 October 1850 – 16 March 1913), but he had cousins who where also illustrators and designers. George Barbier (1882–1932) was a first cousin who made illustrations for fashion magazines. He may be the better-known Boutet de Monvel. Pierre Brissaud (23 December 1885–1964) was also a first cousin.
However, the most sophisticated and wealthiest was Bernard Boutet de Monvel (9 August 1881 – 28 October 1949) who travelled back and forth between Paris and New York to decorate homes. He was enormously talented and elegant. Bernard was killed in the plane crash that also took the life of Ginette Neveu (11 August 1919 – 28 October 1949) and her brother, her accompanist. Ginette Neveu was one of the best violinists ever. World boxing champion Marcel Cerdan, Édith Piaf‘s partner at the time, was another victim of the crash.
Bernard Boutet de Monvel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A Golden Age of Illustration
France didn’t have a Golden Age of illustration, at least not for children’s literature. However, it had a golden age of fashion illustrators whose pochoirs (stencils) appeared on the cover of French magazines and other magazines, such as Vogue. Particularly famous was George Barbier who is associated mainly with La Gazette du bon ton. George Barbier and Pierre Brissaud were Bernard’s first cousins. All were illustrators, but none had the sophistication of Bernard Boutet de Monvel. Bernard was a work of art as a person and slightly précieux. His portrait of The Maharaja of Indore seems a reflection of Bernard Boutet de Monvel, the artist.
The Maharaja of Indore by Bernard Boutet de Monvel, c. 1934 (Photo credit: Google Images)
Fashion and the Ballets Russes
In other words, France had its Golden Age of illustrators, but only Louis-Maurice, Bernard’s father, was mainly an illustrator of children’s literature, not his son nor his nephews, George Barbier and Pierre Brissaud. They illustrated fashion magazines and worked for the Ballets Russes, as did Pablo Picasso.
My posts on the Boutet de Monvel dynasty generated an interest in pochoirs. Reproductions are now available from various companies.
RELATED ARTICLES
Illustrating Fashion Magazines: Barbier & Colleagues (16 August 2014)
George Barbier’s Fêtes galantes (14 August 2014)
The Art of Maurice Boutet de Monvel (1 September 2012)
The Ballets Russes, Vaslav Nijinsky & George Barbier (27 July 2012)
With best wishes to all of you. ♥
© Micheline Walker
3 January 2016
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
here are excellent articles re COMPLEXITY middle east
# Max Rodenbeck, NY Review of Books (NYRB), Dec. 3, 2015, “How She Wants to Modify Muslims”, review of “Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now”, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Harper, 272 pp. See also his “Islam Confronts Its Demons”, NYRB, April 29, 2004.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. It’s very complex. It seems more and more sectarian, inherited and therefore blind sectarianism. It’s ugly.
LikeLike
Really great montage of image and sound. Whose is the music by, Micheline?
LikeLike
It’s another YouTube video where the composer’s name is not mentioned. It doesn’t sound European… I’ll try the Russians. The Maharaja is a masterpiece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. It’s a constant struggle to credit stuff so we use on our blogs. I have often given it up using it altogether, because I could not find the author or he or she won’t reply to my request for permission. Quite frustrating. Cheers in the New Year and beyond.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Wesley,
I just wrote a message and it left on its own.
If it’s on the internet and one does not need to use a password, it’s public.
Pinterest has made taking pictures from weblogs a business.
Cheers.
LikeLike
I am by most definitions a Right winger, but a liberal one.
Many on Right now worried (paranoid?) about threat of Islam, radical terrorist Islam, which is obviously a problem.
But not existential challenge toWest, like its not WW3.
So many on Right think Merkel is mad letting in a million.
But i think it may be a masterstroke. Same with Trudeau.
Germany needs people! Like many European countries.
And these people are on average young. And enterprising! Evidenced by their initiative getting to Germany.
Yes will be problems assimilating. Language and culture / religion.
But being younger will make it easier with language.
And religion? Well I still think most Islami people also want peace and quiet, focus on family and work..
So make them feel welcome in Germany and they will adapt.
And some will convert to Christianity! As apparently happening now.
So mad IS plan will backfire? Global caliphate etc. Crazy stuff. Which most Muslims have no interest in.
So I am optimistic!
Cheerio.
LikeLike
You are right. Germany and Canada are not doing themselves a disservice. Angela Merkel has had to lower the number of refugees Germany will let in, but Canada hasn’t because it doesn’t have to. Migrants can’t walk to Canada. They are in fact being airlifted and 15,000 civil servants, not to mention the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, are making sure the 25,000 applications have been duly “processed.”
Trudeau does not have his father’s intellect and knowledge, but he’s young, energetic and surrounded by experts. As for the refugees, most are young, well educated and have small children. They are looking for a safe place and they will contribute to the growth of Canada.
However, what I am discovering is the extent to which the conflict in the Middle East stems from the Middle East. Assad has done himself a great deal of harm. He could and should have allowed a little modernization.
I’m also optimistic, but I doubt that King Salman will release Raif Badawi. Thousands of Saudis are like Raif Badawi. The same is true of Syrians and Iraqis.
I’ve found the articles you suggested and I’m reading what I expected to read.
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
Such beauty.
LikeLike
The Monvel were excellent artists.The family also includes other celebrities.
The Maharaja is one of the most stunning portraits I have seen. It reflects an era.
Best regards Gallivanta
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the slideshow with its music. I have a reproduction copy of Maurice’s Jeanne d’Arc.
LikeLike
The slideshow is lovely and would that I could find the composer. The music is perfect, but unidentified. I’m searching. You have Jeanne d’Arc and I have his Chansons de France pour les petits enfants. Those books are treasures. Best wishes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: FEATURED: L – M Boutet de Monvel in his Times | ' Ace Worldwide History '
Again, many thanks, Micheline 🙂
LikeLike