Man Ray et la mode - Musée du Luxembourg

Another new, exciting photography show in Paris at musée du Luxembourg.  Man Ray, (an American artist moved to Paris in 1921). His photographic work is seen from a fashion perspective rather than as a Surrealist or Dadaist.

The museum proposes Man Ray fell into fashion photography by taking society portraits, placing them in Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, whose editors noticed of his unusual techniques and hired him. But a little research tells another story.

The stunning, young American Vogue model, Lee Miller showed up on his doorstep uninvited. She announced she wanted to be his assistent. Ray said he didn't use assistants and anyway he was leaving immediately for Biarritz on holiday. Lee Miller said she’d accompany him! They worked together for 3 years. Ray remained obsessed with her, even though Miller got fed up and moved out, they remained friends the rest of their lives. By accident in the dark room, they discovered the technique of ‘Solarization’. It was Miller who introduced him into fashion photography if you believe the many riveting videos on her life.

Paris designers like Jeanne Lanvin, Vionnet,

Chanel, Paul poiret, Schiaparelli adored working with Man Ray and his unique photographic techniques.

The designer’s garments are interspersed through out the exhibit.

Plus short fashion films made by Ray, with accompanying 20’s music to get you in the mood.

This surreal photo was an ad for mascara! The museum’s gift shop offers mascara, lipsticks, nail polish along with Man Ray catalogs.

These women are so elegant. Its hard not to compare their stylish manner with women today.

But women today are no longer confined to being simply objects of beauty.

Today’s women have many more options with great thanks to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, quite a stylish woman herselfn. (Start watching at 11:00 minutes). This week has been an immersion in RBG tributes. You too? 

The new September Paris letter💌 is in the post📮🤸🏾‍♀️Stay well and safe dear PBers❤️🐻💋

Alphonse Mucha - Musée du Luxembourg

I was late visiting the MUCHA EXPO at MUSEE LUXEMBOURG, but not too late to become inspired to draw his lavish swirls and loops. Don't miss this terrific video on YOUTUBE if you can't make it to Paris by 27 January 2019.

You might think you've seen all the Mucha you need to see (like me...).

Not so. The exhibition is eye-opening. Czech artist Mucha studied art all over Europe thanks to a hometown sponser, before he made a big splash in Paris with this poster of SARAH BERNHARDT in 1895.

Mucha's agility at drawings is nothing short of spectacular.

The layered patterns. The complexity of geometric design.

Fabulous tonal figure drawings show he planned ahead every image in detail.

A sickly green woman seems perfectly normal when Mucha paints her.

His delicate colorations are superb.

The French Champagne industry adored Mucha's effervescent style.

As did the biscuit, soap and cosmetics industries.

He put his hand to store design

Including the ornate interior furnishings.

And scupture and jewelry design. Was there anything this man could not do?

Plus he was renown for his photography.

Mucha was the toast of Paris no doubt, living in luxe bohemian digs to the hilt.

Until I suppose too much of a good thing turned his head to an obsession with the mystical.

Mucha's watercolor costume designs for a Shakespearian production.

After his bout with mysticism he became patriotic, returning to his homeland to paint big historic mural  paintings but you'll have to go see those for yourself.

We're strictly all frills at PB. Patisserie Angelina has a small tea salon at the museum.

A ruby red raspberry delight was specially created for the Luxembourg Mucha show. Another reason to go non? It was grey and drizzly on Saturday. But even with the yellow jacket chaos on the Champs-Elysées, Parisians were busy shopping, eating macarons and 'footing' (as they call jogging).Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, watercolors and maps in your mailbox, look in my Etsy shop. 

Bon(ne) Semaine PBers ❤️ 🐻