Refined and Tender

Maurice Lalau is an illustrator that has been largely overlooked in the general history of the medium, even though his work was elegant and evocative of a Renaissance sensibility.

Once upon a time I rescued a L'illustration periodical from oblivion—in sad shape and ready to be thrown out, and several of the illustrations were by Lalau. This is one of them, so refined and tender, the date I do not know, and the title has the strangest 'g' I've ever encountered.

Maurice Lalau — Légende de St Gens — early 20th century

below, detail