STREETS AND FACES: JAZZ AGE PARIS, LONDON, BERLIN, AND NEW YORK
October 28, 2004 to May 22, 2005
A celebration of life in the modern metropolis during the Roaring Twenties and "tumultuous thirties," this exhibition features the witty and satirical illustrations of Chas Laborde (1886-1941). Working in Paris, Laborde established himself as an illustrator noted for his keen observations of contemporary life, using his art to poke fun at middle-class customs and values and to explore aspects of the demimonde.
The series Rues et visages [Streets and Faces] is Chas Laborde’s main contribution to the genre of livres d’art—high-quality, limited editions using fine papers and rigorous printing standards. For these deluxe portfolios, the publisher commissioned the prints from Laborde and the texts from noted authors such as Jean Giraudoux and Paul Morand. Conceived separately, the prints and texts complement each other yet maintain their individual aesthetic integrity. This online exhibition features a small selection of Laborde’s prints and the full texts from the four deluxe editions of the Rues et visages series: Paris, London, Berlin, and New York.
The exhibition was organized by The Wolfsonian; Marianne Lamonaca, assistant director, exhibitions and curatorial affairs; and consulting curator Dr. Roselyne D. Pirson, program director, Florida Center for the Literary Arts, Miami Dade College.
Featured Object:
Plate 1, "Ménilmontant"
Chas Laborde (French, 1886-1941)
From Rues et visages de Paris [Streets and Faces of Paris],
1926
Text by Valery Larbaud (French, 1881-1957)
Published by Editions de la Roseraie, Paris, 1926
Etchings printed by Les Ateliers de la Roseraie, Paris
Etching with hand coloring
83.2.235.1a
Photo: Silvia Ros
