CHARLES GESMAR (1900-1928) [NUDE IN YELLOW GOWN.] Water color study. 1927. 18 7/8 inchesx12 5/8 inches. Condition B+: time staining, creases and minor foxing in margins. Paper. Hand signed in pencil. Throughout his extremely short career (and life), Gesmar worked primarily for, and closely with, Mistinguett. She was partly a mother to him and partly his idol. He designed his first poster for her in 1917 and his last shortly before his premature death in 1928. In the golden years of the Paris Music Halls, he quickly rose to prominence and fame as a designer of both costumes and posters. His imagination appeared to be endless as he continuously came up with new ideas of how to dress not only Mistinguett and other stars, but also legions of chorus girls. Among the parade of exotic and elaborate costumes he created for choruses were flowers, buildings, mythological creatures and other unexpected, magnificent apparitions. The studies he created for Mistinguett herself either bear her name or unmistakably bear her likeness. But for every show she was in, Gesmar also generated hundreds of costumes for the entire troupe. He generated far more costume studies than were ever used, and most of his gouaches remained with Mistinguett after he died. These four drawings are classic examples of his virtuosity, creativity, dramatic flair and inimitable elegance.
![CHARLES GESMAR (1900-1928) [NUDE IN YELLOW GOWN.] Water color study. 1927. 18 inchesx12 inches.](https://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/full//211\566211.jpg)