Lot n° 261
Estimation :
250 - 300
EUR
- Lot 261
[TEXTILE] Helen MAI PSEUDONYM OF JEANNE LARTIGUE (PARIS, AUGUST 12, 1903 - PARIS, JANUARY 1995) - Set of 20 original projects painted in gouache and ink, geometric, floral, figurative and abstract textile models, for fashion or furniture textiles.
In sheets, mounted on white canson, dimensions of the support: 500 x 325 mm.
9 projects bear the stamp of Helen May at her address (87 Bd Raspail, Paris), 2 her autograph signature. Several of them leave precious indications about the use of the fabric; some have a title, handwritten in graphite. All the projects were made on paper mounted on the support (several on crepe paper). All have a handwritten dimension in black ink, lower right. Dimensions of the projects, ranging from 150 to 220 x 175 to 240 mm.
A set of 7 projects on crepe paper of various colors showing patterns of fairly small scale, for women's clothing, mainly cocktail or evening, sometimes lingerie. The pattern "EDELWEISS" includes white flowers in gouache punctuated with small figurative elements in black ink representing hats, scarves or ski poles. The set of these 7 plates presents small scale motives, bicolored or decorated with one or two colors, with an often geometrical structure. They are all in the connection.
2 projects are on special paper (waxed or glazed) and feature fine decorative motifs drawn in black and white with additions of color and or gold. They are all in register.
A set of 11 projects of gouache patterns very varied, 8 of which are titled, "JOUTE" is a multicolored figurative pattern in the connection, depicting duels of knights, in a taste of the Middle Ages revisited and is structured with many small colored graphic patterns. "HAPPINESS" is a flowery pattern with a green dominance on a pale blue background featuring stylized bouquets of lily of the valley. "CHALET" is a decorative pattern featuring an assembly of wooden balustrades, inspired by mountain chalets, in black, white and gray tones, contrasted with flat areas of fir green and burgundy. The whole is decorated with small blue flowers. VENICE is a fine and very ornamented decorative motif, in black and white on a grey background, in ink and gouache, with a connection. "SNOWBREAKER" is a two-tone pattern, white on black background representing round compositions of stylized snowdrops. "CHANTILLY" is a two-colored decorative pattern, white on black background representing a fine assembly of lace and representing butterflies. "PACIFIC" is a motif in black ink on light brown paper featuring small fish with various scales, the whole is enhanced by small orange and white touches. "FRIVOLITY" is an abstract motif on a dark purple background featuring a highly stylized composition of textile mesh and lace stitches varied in pink, white, copper, mauve and two shades of light blue.
TOGETHER 20 PROJECTS.
Helen MAI pseudonym of Jeanne LARTIGUE (Paris, August 12, 1903 - Paris, January 1995). Numbers 261 to 275 present a very nice selection of original gouaches for projects intended for furniture or clothing textiles as well as handbag projects. The vast majority of these models are signed by her or stamped with her Parisian address on Boulevard Raspail.
Abstract and cubist painter, designer, ceramist, mosaicist, sculptor, etc.. Helen Mai, a multi-talented artist, relative of the famous photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue, has created numerous ceramic pieces, mosaics and enamels, models for the decorative arts and fashion (designs for African inspired fabrics). Many of her works have been acquired by Jean Lelong. She has exhibited at the Salon d'Automne, La Grande Chaumière and the Lucy Krogh Gallery. In the field of decoration, she is best known for having practiced encaust painting, thus rediscovering the secrets of the ancient frescoes of Pompeii or Fayoum. This technique with burnt colors, used by the great masters of Greek and Roman painting and then Byzantine. Helen Mai has rediscovered this painting, using a hot iron instead of a brush to apply a colored wax to fix it on the support, by burning it. We find different techniques mixed in the projects presented here (bags, then fabrics and papers). The same richness of inspiration in all these motifs which are nourished by nature, and also by various cultures and periods.
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