Jean Dupas and Macy's
Needlework Picture
1937
Scroll
Physical Qualities
Wool and cotton or silk embroidery threads, probably on a linen ground, 15 7/8 x 12 3/8 in. (40.3 x 31.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Michael and Anis Merson, Baltimore, MD.
Object Number
2009.210
Rectangular needlework picture featuring the shoulder length portrait of a young woman with long blond hair, posed with her right hand holding a piece of fruit and the moon to her left. Exotic fruits and flowers surround her. The style is "moderne" later known as Art Deco, after French designer Jean Dupas. The face and floral designs are highly stylized rather than realistic. The embroidery is worked primarily in multicolored wool and cotton or silk threads using tent stitch. With stem or outline stitch used sparingly around the eyes/eyelashes, hand, part in hair. Colors are generally muted and include gold, rusty brown, medium brown, cream, light brown, dull orange, brick red, red-orange, grey-green, dull purple, deep purple, dull lavender, rose red, dark pink, pink, mixed gold, taupe, rose, beige, dark mauve or red-violet, charcoal grey, light grey-green, peach or coral, greyish-brown and black on a linen (?) canvas ground. The embroidery has been matted with a 1/2" of cream colored fabric showing and framed in a wooden frame with slightly rounded 3" wide members.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2009; Michael Merson, Baltimore, MD by purchase, c. 1974; New York Art Deco Dealer.
House Beautiful, 1939.
1939 House Beautiful
Exhibition at Metropolitan Museum of Art: Masterpieces of French Art Deco (opening August 4, 2009). Includes the installation of Dupas' The History of Navigation, from the ship Normandie, reverse painted and gilded glass mural.
At Home in Manhattan: Modern Decorative Arts, 1925 to the Depression. Karen Davies. 1983: Yale University Art Gallery.
Selling Good Design: Promoting the Early Modern Interior. Marilyn Friedman. 2003, Rizzoli. Chapter 2: "The 1927 Macy's Exposition of Art in Trade." Chapter 6: "The International Exposition of Art in Industry at R.H. Macy & Co., 1928." "Such expositions were given validation by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1927 Macy's Expo was followed by exhibitions at Wanamaker’s, Lord & Taylor, B. Altman and others who exhibited French modern art. These exhibitions were designed to introduce and expand new markets for the stores.
The Modernist Textile: Europe and America, 1890-1940. Virginia Gardner Troy. Lund Humphries, 2006. Pp. 164. Regarding Jean Lurcat experimenting with textiles after WWI and used needlepoint (which he referred to as 'canvas tapestries') and chose needlepoint on canvas because "it forces the designer to think in a primitive way with values and juxtaposition--what excellent limitations! One comes through it trained, experienced; purged of the idiosyncrasies of easel painting."
internet--http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?startat=/getposter.asp&APNum=396797&CID=F, accessed 11/29/2009 image of poster by Jean Dupas, 1925, Palais de la Nouveaute. Image presented in PowerPoint presentation to Accessions Committee 12/07/09.
Christies Catalogue, New York, Thursday, May 26, 1983. An Important Collection of Art Deco. Pg. 34 and 35, Lot 432. Two Fine Verre Eglomise Mural Panels designed by Jean Dupas, executed by Ch. Champigneulle, 1935. Perhaps intended for the Normandie. Image presented in Accessions Committee PowerPoint 12/07/09.
Exhibition at Metropolitan Museum of Art: Masterpieces of French Art Deco (opening August 4, 2009). Includes the installation of Dupas' The History of Navigation, from the ship Normandie, reverse painted and gilded glass mural.
At Home in Manhattan: Modern Decorative Arts, 1925 to the Depression. Karen Davies. 1983: Yale University Art Gallery.
Selling Good Design: Promoting the Early Modern Interior. Marilyn Friedman. 2003, Rizzoli. Chapter 2: "The 1927 Macy's Exposition of Art in Trade." Chapter 6: "The International Exposition of Art in Industry at R.H. Macy & Co., 1928." "Such expositions were given validation by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1927 Macy's Expo was followed by exhibitions at Wanamaker’s, Lord & Taylor, B. Altman and others who exhibited French modern art. These exhibitions were designed to introduce and expand new markets for the stores.
The Modernist Textile: Europe and America, 1890-1940. Virginia Gardner Troy. Lund Humphries, 2006. Pp. 164. Regarding Jean Lurcat experimenting with textiles after WWI and used needlepoint (which he referred to as 'canvas tapestries') and chose needlepoint on canvas because "it forces the designer to think in a primitive way with values and juxtaposition--what excellent limitations! One comes through it trained, experienced; purged of the idiosyncrasies of easel painting."
internet--http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?startat=/getposter.asp&APNum=396797&CID=F, accessed 11/29/2009 image of poster by Jean Dupas, 1925, Palais de la Nouveaute. Image presented in PowerPoint presentation to Accessions Committee 12/07/09.
Christies Catalogue, New York, Thursday, May 26, 1983. An Important Collection of Art Deco. Pg. 34 and 35, Lot 432. Two Fine Verre Eglomise Mural Panels designed by Jean Dupas, executed by Ch. Champigneulle, 1935. Perhaps intended for the Normandie. Image presented in Accessions Committee PowerPoint 12/07/09.
Inscribed: Verso: stamped center, BE, "INGLETT-WATSON/2918 M STREET, N.W./WASHINGTON, D.C. 20007" and label, center TE, "R. H. Mary & Co./ Inc. /New ...ork"
