#Fin de siècle

[yesterdaysprint]

Enfin Seule! (Finally Alone) by Jean-Louis Forain in Le Courrier Français, ca. 1890

[vertigo1871]

Ephraim Moses Lilien (1874-1925), The harpist

[design-is-fine]

René Lalique, Jewel comb „Anemone“, 1899. Via MKG

[thefugitivesaint]

Giulio Aristide Sartorio (1860-1932), ''Sibilla; poema drammatico in quattro atti'' (Sibyl. Dramatic poem in four acts), 1922 Source

This is just a selection of the relief etchings that Sartorio did for the above work. A more detailed accounting of the book (in Italian) can be read here.

[imaginal-ai]

"The Kiss, Reimagined"

(The Kiss…Reimagined Series: 0003)

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[medici-collar]

Title: Opera cape

Design House: Beer (French, ca. 1890–1928)

Designer: Gustave Beer (French)

Date: ca. 1896

Culture: French

Medium: silk, wool

[evilhorse]

Poison Ivy #22 (Frank Cho Variant Cover)

[arthistoryanimalia]

René Lalique was born #OTD (6 April 1860 - 1 May 1945). Since it's also still #BatAppreciationWeek, here are a few of Lalique's many bats!

1. bat anklet c.1898-9; gold, enamel, antique & rose diamond, opal 2. bat ring c.1899; silver, enamel, moonstone, gold both Musée des Arts décoratifs

Both these pieces were commissioned as gifts for American writer Natalie Clifford Barney (1876-1972), who was openly lesbian; bats were a Fin de siècle symbol of homosexuality. But they were also popular Art Nouveau motifs thanks to Japonisme. Here is another example:

3. Ring c.1901, gold, blue enamel, sapphire

And another, this one paired with another popular Art Nouveau animal:

4. "Butterflies and Bats" pocketwatch, c. 1899-1900; gold, enamel, moonstone.Via Christie's (sold in 2002 for US$207,500)

[roses--and--rue]

S I N

Franz von Stuck

[dark-longings]

Lady in black with statuette, 1899-1908. Clarence Hudson White.

[resplendentoutfit]

Edwardian Fashion: The S-Bend Silhouette

The curious S-shape figure of the Edwardian woman was achieved by wearing an undergarment invented by a physician in the later part of the 19th century and marketed as a "health corset". The S-bend or straight-front corset sat lower on the body and was characterized by a rounded, forward leaning torso with hips pushed back. It was thought that because this new corset, unlike the Victorian styles, alleviated pressure on the abdomen and internal organs, that it promoted a healthier posture. Unlike many fashion trends in history, it would take several years for the S-bend to become a fashion statement unrelated to health concerns, reaching the height of its popularity between 1904-1905. It was coloquely referred to as the "pouter pigeon" silhouette.

S-bend corset • V & A, London | The look achieved.

Fashion illustrations tended to exaggerate the S-bend silhouette. It's likely that many women achieved a less severe shape while still maintaining a fashionable appearance.

Day dress • Wool crepe/silk taffeta • 1902-04 • FIDM Museum

Sources:

• FIDM Museum

• Fashion History Timeline (fit.nyc)

• Julia Bennet (juliabennet.com)

[cornucopiawrites]

The Sun is Passing the Sign of Virgo

1906-1907

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis

[vertigo1871]

Henri Ottevaere (1870-1944), Le Jardin d'Eden, 1901. Tryptich

[design-is-fine]

Paper doll with dresses, 1895.  G. H. Buek & Co., USA. Via MFA Boston.

Paper fashion dolls and their wardrobes offer us a unique opportunity to see the breadth of a wardrobe for a person from a single year. Beginning with the doll itself that is dressed in chemise, short petticoat, and corset, this series shows everything correct for day, afternoon and evening, as well as outfits for sport and seaside use. Such paper dolls would not only be a toy, but also a tool to learn about what was socially correct. Via Attire’s Mind

[greencheekconure27]

Herbert Beerbohm Tree as Gringoire in 'The Ballad Monger', c.1912

Charles A. Buchel (1872–1950)

University of Bristol Theatre Collection

[imaginal-ai]

"Leopold" (0002)

(More of The Leopold Portrait Series)

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