Posted 6 years ago
cameoboy
(98 items)
By now, the story of L'Estampe Moderne [1897-1899] is quite well-known. Having almost half of them, I can now say there were three distinct areas covered: Art Nouveau [nude or lightly clad maidens with flowers]; an adherence to Medievalism; and my favorite: portraits of male and female workers and scenes from their domestic lives, such as I am presenting today.
1-2. "Les sardinières". Louis Borgex. n.19, Nov. 1898, Each print came accompanied by a literary text printed in what I call "onion paper", of which I provide an example in the second photo..
3. "Le Retour des Champs." Jules-Alexis Muenier. v.2, n. 17 Sept. 1898. I find it quite simple and beautiful, but I can also read into the mute story is telling.
4."Le Baisier". Victor Emile Prouvé December 1899. I fancy it as being the same family from the previous print
These represent a reality [the working, rural or urban poor] hidden beneath the excesses of Art Nouveau and La Belle Epoque.
