Georges Barbier
1882- 1932
Biography
"Born in Nantes Barbier held his first exhibition in 1911 and eventually established himself as a leading figure in Paris as a designer of theatre and cinema costumes, book illustration and haute couture fashion design and illustration. His better known work includes costumes for Rudolph Valentino in the film Monsieur Beaucaire and designs and sets at the Folies-Bergere.
Barbier provided illustrations for works by many famous writers including Baudelaire, Gautier, de Musset and Verlaine as well as contemporary books on Russian ballet such as Dances by Nijinsky and Album Dedicated to Tamara Karsavina.
Barbier’s illustrations from the 1920s are widely considered to epitomise the spirit of Art Deco and Jazz Age Paris with their combination of diverse influences such a Orientalism, Aubrey Beardsley, classical Greek vase decorations and 18th century French paintings. Barbier usually employed the pochoir process which involved the hand colouring of prints with watercolour pigments through the medium of stencils. He died in 1932 at the zenith of his artistic career, having made regular contributions to L’Illustration magazine and several ventures in jewellery and furniture design." (Goldmark)
Barbier provided illustrations for works by many famous writers including Baudelaire, Gautier, de Musset and Verlaine as well as contemporary books on Russian ballet such as Dances by Nijinsky and Album Dedicated to Tamara Karsavina.
Barbier’s illustrations from the 1920s are widely considered to epitomise the spirit of Art Deco and Jazz Age Paris with their combination of diverse influences such a Orientalism, Aubrey Beardsley, classical Greek vase decorations and 18th century French paintings. Barbier usually employed the pochoir process which involved the hand colouring of prints with watercolour pigments through the medium of stencils. He died in 1932 at the zenith of his artistic career, having made regular contributions to L’Illustration magazine and several ventures in jewellery and furniture design." (Goldmark)
His Designs
Critical Analysis
Not only was Barbier a writer, but he was also a reviwer for magazine and a designer for the theater and art. (nytimes) "Barbier was also one of many artists who made a living illustrating limited "editions de luxe", intended to be collectors items due to their limited circulation and high standards of printing. A mania for these books swept France in the teens and twenties" (costumes.org) "Although Barbier's fashion plates in the 1920s inevitably reflected current styles of dress, his backdrops hark back to earlier, and in his eyes more elegant. "(nytimes) "Barbier gathered inspiration from both the 18th-century art and Art Nouveau, which can be seen in the twists and flowing shapes of his graceful, fashionable women, with dark-lidded and slightly exotic eyes."(Jewelryacessories)
Future Trends
"Barbier was almost certainly influenced in his revue costumes by his more famous colleague, Erte, who also designed costumes for The Folies. Barbier composed the following description of Erte's style for a catalogue of an exhibition of Erte's work. Barbier's designs, although not so exotic as Erte's, are certainly as lavish and as seat wrenching." (costumes.org) "In the France that emerged from World War I, George Barbier, then in his 30s, was one of the best-known artist-designers, especially famous as a creator of the brilliantly colored fashion plates that had been launched by the couturier Paul Poiret a decade earlier, and of jewelry for Cartier. He also made his mark as a writer and reviewer for magazines, a designer for theater and film, and a book illustrator." (Nytimes) His work is still out there for display, and in many private collections. Georges Barbier even has a pint rest page with people worldwide can see his artwork and even share them on other websites.
Works Cited
Goldmark, Mike. "George Barbier: Biography." Goldmark. Goldmark Gallery, 25 Mar. 2013. Web. 07 Dec. 2013.
http://www.goldmarkart.com/scholarship/george-barbier-biography/
Baker, William. "George Barbier, 1882-1932, Fashion Illustrator: Biography."Costumes.org. Costumes, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
"Jewelry Accessories-Bold & Statement Designer Jewelry." Blog: Jewelry Accessories. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. <http://www.blog.jewelryaccessories.com/fashion-illustrators/420-georges-barbier.html>.
Morris, Roderick Conway. "Forgotten Art of French Illustrator Georges Barbier." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Nov. 2008. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/>.
Gatochy. Lady with a dragon. 12 October 2006. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Gatochy. La Danse. 12 October 2006. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Gatochy. St. George and the Dragonet. 08 April 2008. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Gatochy. Bird of the forest. 1q October 2007. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Britanny. Il Douce Armour. 3 September 2013. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
http://www.goldmarkart.com/scholarship/george-barbier-biography/
Baker, William. "George Barbier, 1882-1932, Fashion Illustrator: Biography."Costumes.org. Costumes, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
"Jewelry Accessories-Bold & Statement Designer Jewelry." Blog: Jewelry Accessories. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. <http://www.blog.jewelryaccessories.com/fashion-illustrators/420-georges-barbier.html>.
Morris, Roderick Conway. "Forgotten Art of French Illustrator Georges Barbier." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Nov. 2008. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/>.
Gatochy. Lady with a dragon. 12 October 2006. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Gatochy. La Danse. 12 October 2006. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Gatochy. St. George and the Dragonet. 08 April 2008. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Gatochy. Bird of the forest. 1q October 2007. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.
Britanny. Il Douce Armour. 3 September 2013. Art Deco. Artdecoblog. Image. 7 December 2013.