I'm continuing on my very un-chronological and no-logic-whatsoever series of featuring my favorite fashion illustrators. (Previously mentioned are Erté and Ohgushi.)Today it's time for perhaps the greatest of them all; Renée Gruau!
I've always admired the 'less is more' when it comes to illustration (that is, if you know your way around the paper and pencil) and Gruau is a true master in the use of negative space, somewhat continuing the japonisme-inspired style of Touluse-Lautrec. Gruau was also a master with his use of color and patterns, but most of all, his trademark line - strong and simple but total perfection.
RenéeGruau (1909-2004) was a French-Italian artist and illustrator who worked mainly in Europe but also in New York. He did numerous high style magazine covers, ads and haute couture illustrations for such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Flair, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Dior... He also did posters for The Moulin Rouge and Lido for years. At some point he even did some fashion design himself.
Gruau worked with Dior from the fifties until the late eighties, even at times when fashion photography and digital art had already taken over. Images above from the sixtes.
Obviously an inspiration for the iPod ads?
Great work of pattern and space from the sixties.
I had a hard time picking out images for this post leaving a lot unshown here, so be a darling and go google up images by Gruau! Do it! Now!
25 comments:
It's always nice to learn something new when reading your blogs. I have to admit I've never heard of that person but I have seen some of those pieces. Now I know a little bit more :)
Olivia : <3
Such GLAMOUR is conveyed by these illustrations. Love 'em!
Sal : yes I'm totally fascinated and in love with all his work!
I have to tell you the same that Olivia told... I'm Always learning something new when I'm visiting in your blog. This post is great, beautiful images. The last picture is my favourite :)
I really like Gruau. So glamourous. My favourite ever though is Erte. I adore the crazyness and the exoticism!
Those are really elegant and accomplished images - thanks for introducing me to them, I shall certainly be looking up some more...
I know this is probably bad... but sometimes I like the illustrations better than the actual designs. Sometimes the imagination can tap into areas reality can't. Fantastic choices!
Thank you Freelancer for this art lesson again :) Now I've found at least two new illustrator idols: Ohgushi and now this Gruau.
Salla : Glad you liked it !
Artificial Magazine : I adore Erté too, even though I think that Gruau takes the price for me :)
Mysterycreature : Yes, do that :)
Darrah : Oh I know totally well what you mean and I agree!
Ilona : My pleasure!
These looks wonderful!
Oh one of my favourite illustrators EVER. I veer from feeling really inspired by him to completely useless. That style is right up my alley, and I love the influence on modern illustrators like Rebecca Wretzler and Kat Mcleod (who are v worht checking out).
Gosh! I wish I would have such a passion for something. (Well I do, but maybe some day when the children are grown up then I can dive in the world of tattoos.)
Great - thanx for the inspiration!
What a shame I didn't know this one earlier! Thankyou for the inspiration. ♥ Dotti
Really interesting and absolutely beautiful collection! Thanks for the inspiration!
I'm so glad you posted these pictures! I'll definitely go to Google and search for more right away!
These are absolutely beautiful!. I love Gruau too and being an illustrator myself I hope to, one day, come to this level of artistry. Looking at these drawings is both inspiring and devastating.
These are all really gorgeous, I will have to remember these!
Cool blog , nice pics.
Rodrigo Obon : I know, inspiring and devastating at the same time indeed...
Dominic Bugatto : Thanks!
In my younger years I always asked santa clause for toys that came with small balls. Hungry Hungry Hippos, Crossfire, you name it. I would always swallow the balls (5-6 at a time) then try to sift through my shit to find them. I guess thats what makes me a good archaeologist as an adult.
His work is amazing. . .great post and blog~~just found you and will be back!
M
セレブ達は一般の人達とは接する機会もなく、その出会う唯一の場所が「逆援助倶楽部」です。 男性はお金、女性はSEXを要求する場合が多いようです。これは女性に圧倒的な財力があるから成り立つことの出来る関係ではないでしょうか？
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