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a trove of Rex Whistler Designs for the Theatre, I've found in some little pamphlets called the THE MASQVE. In three parts, the 1947 published pieces include an appreciation by Cecil Beaton and a foreward by Rex's brother Laurence. Rex Whistler designed sets and costumes for the theatre and his drawings are perfectly beautiful-sweet-accurate-& today, poignantly nostalgic.
Beaton writes, In every age one finds certain artists who are not 'modern' in the sense of that age, but who, operating upon some mysterious dialectic of anachronism, bring the style, the with and the values of an earlier age to bear upon their own. Rex Whistler was such an artist: the eighteenth century was his inspiration, but his murals, his designs for the theatre, his book jackets and illustrations form a minor, but peculiarly important, contributions to the taste of the twentieth century. (from The Masqve)
Here are the drawings and designs from Part 1-in The MASQVE.
images 2,3,4 & 5 -Whistler designed the Decor and Costumes for Pride and Prejudice at St. James's Theatre in February 1936, and for Ballerina-Costumes at the Gaiety in October, 1933.
Part 2, and Part 3-to follow on Monday
.
a trove of Rex Whistler Designs for the Theatre, I've found in some little pamphlets called the THE MASQVE. In three parts, the 1947 published pieces include an appreciation by Cecil Beaton and a foreward by Rex's brother Laurence. Rex Whistler designed sets and costumes for the theatre and his drawings are perfectly beautiful-sweet-accurate-& today, poignantly nostalgic.
Beaton writes, In every age one finds certain artists who are not 'modern' in the sense of that age, but who, operating upon some mysterious dialectic of anachronism, bring the style, the with and the values of an earlier age to bear upon their own. Rex Whistler was such an artist: the eighteenth century was his inspiration, but his murals, his designs for the theatre, his book jackets and illustrations form a minor, but peculiarly important, contributions to the taste of the twentieth century. (from The Masqve)
Here are the drawings and designs from Part 1-in The MASQVE.
images 2,3,4 & 5 -Whistler designed the Decor and Costumes for Pride and Prejudice at St. James's Theatre in February 1936, and for Ballerina-Costumes at the Gaiety in October, 1933.
Part 2, and Part 3-to follow on Monday
.
Dear Little Augury, what a treat, I got to the exhibition they had at Colefax and Fowler in London before Christmas, in THE yellow room no less. Whistler's world was so charming, poignant even. It was wonderful to see his art 'up close': somehow the delicate pencil grid he had made to aid the composition for his roses on 'La Spectre de la Rose Ballet Curtain' in 1944 made it all the more magical. Anyway it's probably in your 'Masqve' somewhere.... x J
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat indeed! It must have been a little overwhelming even. The La Spectre... you refer to is in Part 2, published 2.11.13. pgt
DeleteMarvelous, Gaye! And so good of you to share your finds. These images
ReplyDeleteround out those already seen in the excellent new book on Rex Whistler
by Mirabelle and Hugh Cecil. Looking forward to parts two and three of
this post.
The book by the Cecils is so very long overdue-but worth the wait. After reading it-I fortunately found these little pamphlets through Abe books-very exciting. Just for you Mr. Worthington. pgt
DeleteDear Gaye,
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight to see this morning. I have never seen these images before, and it is a treat to see the combination of RW and P&P!!!
Love a "...mysterious dialectic of anachronism" , and I want to inhabit these illustrations.
Another Little Augury gem.
Warmest,
xx
thank you Philip- the drawings speak for themselves I think. pgt
DeleteI see shades of SENSE & SENSIBILITY sets by Ang Lee and Emma Thompson, and almost verbatim interiors of AN IDEAL HUSBAND with Rupert Evans and Julianna Moore...hmmm - wonder if the Set Designers of both relied on Whistlers earlier stage arrangements....YOUR always bringing the Jewels that have been shimmering within a cocoon of forgotten shades of Silken Velvet into the spotlight for us to see magnified thru the lens of Timeless Beauty.
ReplyDeleteThank you-The Swan. I've no doubt Whistler's details were looked for inspiration. Along with great detail he captured a whimsicality and fantasy into period sets and settings. pgt
DeleteA masque being, of course, a theatrical production within an elaborate stage design, this is an appropriate title for a booklet of Rex Whistler's remarkable watercolor drawings. The combination of both rendering technique and design is such a joy to study and appreciate. I am glad to see this revival in interest for one of the truly great decorative artists.
ReplyDeleteTDC, I agree-we can hope to see more Rex Whistler. according to Beaton, RW worked with speed and accuracy, I am dying to see a movie about his life. Wonder if it could be carried off? pgt
DeleteThis is my first visit to your blog.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying it and this post in particular.
As an admirer of Rex Whistler's work I am always interested in finding new examples of his work that I was previously unaware of, so I think a you for sharing them!
Kirk
Welcome Kirk. we are all Rex worshipers-and all in such good company I'll add. There are more posts about WHistler on the blog- see the "seek it here" pgt
Delete