Georges Barbier (1882 - 1932): master French illustrator of the early 1900s. Not much is known about the actual man himself but he was a prolific artist who began his career illustrating for fashion magazines. The interesting thing was that he actually drew his girls in his own designs not those of the couturiers of the day. So he became a fashion designer through his illustrations first. Later he was asked to design theatre and ballet costumes.
Barbier lead a group of artists from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (School of Fine Art). Vogue nicknamed this group "The Knights of the Bracelet" because of their fashionable dress sense. He also designed jewellery, wallpaper and glass ware.
Both Barbier and Erte even designed costumes for Hollywood movies in the 1920s.
He was influenced by Indian miniatures, antique vases and that other master illustrator: Aubrey Beardsley. His exquisite art deco pochoirs perfectly capture the roaring twenties and the jazz era.
I think his work is particularly appealing because of his subtle use of colour and of course his compositions are very pretty. I'm particularly fond of his outdoor scenes.
You can find more Barbier pochoirs here and more information about him here.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous stuff. Too beautiful. I did that Facebook quizz that asks what era you were "from". I knew mine would be the 1920s, and it was.
Posted by: katiecrackernuts | May 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM
How lovely Kate - you're a born again (maybe reincarnated?) jazz baby! The 1920s were just a spot on era for music, art, fashion and sophistication , weren't they?
Posted by: Sam | May 10, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Sam, his work is really gorgeous!! I love..always love finding new artist! Thank you! Hope your having a wonderful weekend and love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | May 10, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Lovely post dear Sam, I was familiar with his work but didn't know any of the history. I love that he later became a designer... thank you for sharing! xo
Posted by: Gabbi | May 10, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Oh, I love 'em- especially the second to last- something about her pose, and the lines it creates.
Good find!
Hope all is well in Sydney, and that you are having fun. :)
L x
Posted by: Linda | May 10, 2009 at 06:14 PM
Jacqueline - So glad to have introduced this wonderful artist t you! Have a lovely weekend too!
Thank you Gabbi - yes, I was so surprised to find out he drew his own designs too - I think he was a bit if a Renaissance man!
Linda - I'm totally with you! I rack my brain for adjectives to describe his work and I keep coming back to "incredibly pretty"!
Posted by: Sam | May 11, 2009 at 05:30 AM
Lovely and full of detail--I was not familiar with this artist. Thanks!
Posted by: Tina of Pfeiffer Photos | May 11, 2009 at 07:35 AM
Great stuff. Mika
Posted by: mikascrap | May 11, 2009 at 04:51 PM
I went to see an exhibition with his stuff in Venice not so long ago! It was truly amazing!
Posted by: Mothersvea | May 12, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Tina - so glad I introduced his work to you - he's an absolute gem!
Thanks Mika - I agree!
Mothersvea - you've just described my idea of heaven! Going to Venice (my favourite city) and seeing a Barbier exhibition! Sigh! I bet it was lovely!
Posted by: Sam | May 13, 2009 at 05:55 AM
These are beautiful! And I bookmarked both sites :)
Posted by: Michiko | May 24, 2009 at 07:09 PM