George Barbier: A French Artist of the Early Twentieth Century
George Barbier is a well-known French artist who rose to prominence in the early twentieth century. He not only designed costumes, but also wallpapers, fans, jewelry, and fabrics. However, George Barbier is best known today for his skills in fashion illustration and book writing. Vogue magazine dubbed him and his cousins, Bernard Boutet de Monvel and Pierre Brissaud, "The Knights of the Bracelet." He introduced a method of publishing his fashion plates using 'pochoirs' or stencils, a hand printing method borrowed from the Japanese, by collaboration with another journalist. Although the technology was criticized by purist, Barbier disagreed with them arguing that it was the best way to display an artist work in its pure form.
Blending the Old and New: George Barbier's Fashion Prints from 1922 to 1926
Through his work, he portrayed himself as an advocate of art and design. Barbier's design work using pochoir technique is shown by 1912 fan design of a woman picking grapes while she is surrounded by butterflies. This was produced in a journal des Dames et des Modes. However, my primary concern in this paper is to bring into discussion George Barbier fashion prints from 1922 to 1926. This is the period we find out the painting titled Oui.
The Painting "Oui": A Representation of Love and Romance
This volume of work was characterized by its uniqueness where Barbier embraced the traditional elements which were closely similar to the new fashions thus forming a complete blending of the old and new. He also adopted neoclassicism. The Gazette du bon ton illustrates his love for classical themes. Through the application of features such as suggestive gestures, he was able to display the likelihood of unfolding story in the background of some of his scenes. Therefore, our discussion on the painting will bring out the creativity that was applied.
"Oui" is a hand-colored, signed pochoir from Falbalas & Fanfreluches showing a vintage painting of a wedded couple on a balcony. The theme of the picture was love and romance. According to the image, the artist is thought to have been in a state of jubilation and hence capturing the mood, thereby creating an opportune moment of mutual feeling of commitment. The silky pink petals of the ladies gorgeous dress moving gently was an illustration of ignition of love and desire. This painting was an illustration of the high life society of Paris before the war. That is the fashion, social and artistic culture of the city. It also shows the values that the community uphold. These are the values of love and togetherness between husband and wife. It sets out the path or the cycle of life that should be followed.
The painting was done in a series of pictures dating back to the years of 1922-1926. The message of the art was that of love and tolerance. The doves that are shown in the background signify peace and unity of the couple. Moreover, the painting background is that of a serene environment that is a house balcony overshadowing a pool or likely an ocean where the lovers steam is at its peak.it is a simple of young love that is determined to blossom.
The Aesthetics and Technique of the Painting "Oui"
The size of the painting is estimated to be 6.5 inches by 9.75 inches painted on a creamy paper. The pochoir process that was applied involved using a stencil also of single layers of vivid color by hand to a lithograph. It is a technique that is widely in use today. Another significant component of this painting is its organization and composition. The layout is quite impressive with the central message that the artist is trying to portray occupying a large area of the art. That is the couple on a balcony. There is also the creativity of the artist in how he uses the idea of silky pink petals to bring out the view of the dress fitting into the theme of the paint.
The artist can also be praised for his beautiful drawing where he brings out the reality of how loved ones behave when in a mood of mutual desire. The flowers on top of the balcony are an ingredient to the beautiful love environment created by a quiet balcony overshadowing an ocean. With the presence of blowing waves, it's indeed an excellent time to experience love.
Conclusion
George Barbier is said to be a great artist of his time, but his name disappeared into the limelight until the year 2008 when his paintings were the auction in Venice. Regardless of that his painting is still useful in the study of Art today. Although his paintings tried to bring out the theme of love and romance, some of his pictures are considered to be erotic and hence immoral. It's the reason that some of them have been stored in private galleries since they are thought to lower the standards of public decency. Through his pioneer on the use of pochoirs when he adopted it from the Japanese, the technique is widely used today. Lastly, through the paint 'Oui' the theme and its creativity applied in valentine celebrations today.
Work Cited
‘George Barbier The master of art deco,’
Roderick Morris ‘Forgotten art of George Barbier is rediscovered at forty museum show’http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/arts/14iht-raabarb.1.17825136.html>
‘George Barbieri 1882-1932https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10467062_28-george-barbieri-1882-1932-and-others-six>
