Georges Jules Victor Clairin was a French painter and illustrator, working in the heady days of the Art Nouveau movement. Like Mucha, Clairin was drawn to Sarah Bernhardt, in more ways than one.
Poster of Sarah Bernhardt as Theodora by Georges Clairin
Theatrical setting of Bernhardt as Theodora by Georges Clairin
Theatrical setting of La Vierge d'Avila (The Virgin of Avila)
Hi Thom, I like Bernhardt's face in the poster, and the composition of all three. Maybe it's the character she is portraying, or maybe it's Clairin's style, but her face is "softer" here than in some of Mucha's depictions of her.
My favourite Clairin painting is La grande vague, from 1898. Even though I've never seen a colour version, only black and white photographs in art books, it still grabbed my imagination... and held on.
Great view on history. It's a pure spectacle. A kind of explanation why "academic realism" became obsolet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Hi Thom,
ReplyDeleteI like Bernhardt's face in the poster, and the composition of all three. Maybe it's the character she is portraying, or maybe it's Clairin's style, but her face is "softer" here than in some of Mucha's depictions of her.
My favourite Clairin painting is La grande vague, from 1898. Even though I've never seen a colour version, only black and white photographs in art books, it still grabbed my imagination... and held on.
ReplyDeletedq405 (Mark)
Yes, that is an intriguing piece. Think good thoughts, you never know when it'll pop up somewhere.
ReplyDeleteSo grateful to you for posting these splendid images, and on a big scale so that their qualities may be enjoyed to the utmost.
ReplyDelete