JEAN CARLU (1900-1997) GRANDE FETES DE PARIS. 1934. 37 1/8x23 1/8 inches. Alliance Graphique, Paris. Condition B-: restored loss, restoration overpainting and creases in image. Framed. In 1934 the French Ministry of Trade and Industry decided to coordinate a series of events under the name Grands Fetes de Paris. The idea was to promote tourism to the capital city in an attempt to fight off financial losses occurring as a result of the depression. Four prominent artists were chosen to help advertise the event: A.M. Cassandre, Paul Colin, (see lot 40) Jean-Gabriel Domergue and Jean Carlu. All the posters they designed for the event were printed by the prestigious Alliance Graphique. Designed in a style influenced by Raoul Dufy, Carlu's image exists in two different sizes. One is a large, horizontal format with the couple surrounded by a race track. This vertical format is essentially the same design, with slightly fewer details in the background, focussing on the best aspects of the design. The single-line effortlessness with which he renders the faces of this aristocratic couple belies the sophistication of the image, which exudes style, elegance and wealth. The delightful, sensitive image is rare in comparison to Carlu's normally sharper, cubist style. Carlu 39.
