Spring and summer weather makes it so much easier to go looking for a driving-for-deco weekend find. And, getting a couple of pieces of genuine vintage art, in this case by Marcel Vertès, makes it even better! Also, we get to learn about a new (to us) artist!

Therefore, its no surprise, I went to one of my favorite flea markets, The Golden Nugget. And there I came across two lithographs. Two large lithographs!

The first is a party scene with people dancing to some unheard music. And the second features a less frenetic party focusing on two gentleman dancing with each other.  However I was alone on this hunt. So, I sent Anthony some quick pictures. And he liked them enough for me to start the bargaining stage.

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Signed and numbered, the signature was difficult to read. The vendor told me the artist’s name was Vertès. But added, they are not in the best condition. And consequently, they sell for around $200 per picture online.

And a quick web search (and sending Anthony this new info) confirmed his statements.

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The vendor told me he bought them at an auction. But, he only bid on them to annoy another bidder who really wanted them. And, he doesn’t like them, he doesn’t want to pack them up, and doesn’t want to take them home. Asking, what his best price would be? And pleasantly surprised as he stated $100 each, just what he paid for them. But if I wanted both, $75 each. Cha-ching!

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A bit more research and I found out they are a part of the “Dancing” series.  And as for the condition? Well, let’s just say they are lovely as they are. But in pristine condition, they have highlighted red, pink, yellow and turquoise watercolor accents.

These are fairly hard-to-find.  And, the condition is therefore not an issue for us.

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Significantly, as I delve into this artist’s history, he is known for some highly – let me put this delicately – adult subject matter. And as we try to keep things PG, I am leaving out quite a bit of illustrative references.

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Born August 10, 1895, in Ujpest, Hungry, Marcel Vertès was a painter, printmaker, ceramicist,  illustrator and costumer of Hungarian-Jewish origins.

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His career started in Budapest, Hungary. There, he sketched corpses, criminals, and “ladies of the evening” for a “sensational” magazine. In addition to illustrating for anti-Hapsburg propaganda publications.

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He relocated from his native Hungary to Vienna, Austria.  And then to Paris, France after World War I.  In Paris, he settled in the Latin Quarter and studied at the Académie Julian.

Like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Jean-Louis Forain, Vertès established himself as a prominent 20^th century figure of the Parisian art scene. Undeniably his fascination with the vibrancy of 1920s night-life inspired him.  And he lithographs and drawings focused on  street scenes, intimate portraits of women, as well as images of circus and cabaret acts. And, selling illustrations to the Gazette Du Bon Ton and to Rire, a satirical magazine.

 

 

Increasingly popular, Vertès was commissioned by Maurice Exteens in 1925 to illustrate two albums of lithographs. One in black and white called “Maisons” and one in color (and the more popular), called “Dancing”.

“Dancing” encompassed a witty look at the world of brothels, nightclubs, and discretely unfaithful lovers. These albums cemented his fame.  At this time, Vertès also contributed illustrations to Cherri Colette. (Photos from Lockportstreetgallery.com)

L’Europe Galante, by Paul Morand, (Photos from varshavskycollection.com)

and Le Cirque by Ramon Gomez de la Serna. (Photos from lockportstreetgallery.com)

 

His first trip to New York in 1935 was to make contacts beyond his beloved Paris. Then, just two years later, opened his first one-man show in New York City. But his world became upended with the event of World War II. And with little choice, Marcel Vertès left for New York with his wife, Dora.

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They escaped the Nazi invasion of Paris by two days.

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In New York, and with a reputation that preceded him, Vertès continued his work. Finding additional success as a book illustrator, costume and set designers for films, theatres, and musicals.

He created the original murals at the Café Carlyle in the Hotel Carlyle and in the Peacock Alley in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

The American Art League, sponsored by American Federation of Arts, show-casing his work.  “As They Were” was shown in museums across the country in a celebrity portrait exhibition.

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He collaborated with fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli to create her “Shocking de Schiaparelli” perfume campaign. (Photos from fragranceads.com)

And, Vertès won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design for the film, “Moulin Rouge” (1952).

As an interesting side note: Vertès earned tuition money in Paris by forging the art of Toulouse Lautrec. This “experience” was used in the film. And it is his hand used as the hand of Toulouse Lautrec drawing.

It is his images featured in the film. (Given appropriate credit.) Vertès appeared in the British, Parisian, and Italian production credits as Color Production Designer, and Costume Designer, along with Schiaparelli. (They shared the British Academy Film award for Best Costume Design for Moulin Rouge.)

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In 1955, he became an officer of the Legion of Honor when he designed for ballets at the Paris Opera. Ever eclectic, he designed all the sets for the 1956 Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus’ show. As well as his illustrative contributions for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines.

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Little is known of his private life.  A presumed paramour, Priscilla Mais, wrote of him in her diary describing him as a…:

“…loner who belonged to no movement, fragile, moody, stubborn, impatient,”

 

Of his wife, Vertès wrote:

“Dora saw everything, but never said anything that could hurt me.”

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By all accounts, he was a complex man with a wicked sense of humor. He drew what he saw honestly and with imagination. His creativity encompassed sketching and painting to film and fashion and ceramics.

Additionally, he remained happily married while “involved” with several other women.

After 10 years in the USA, Marcel Vertès and Dora returned to Paris.  To clarify, he travelled to the US on occasion but he lived in Paris until his death on October 31, 1961, at age 66.

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Keep hunting and learning!                                                                                                               Chris & Anthony (the Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)