MANUEL ORAZI (1860-1934) PALAIS DE LA DANSE. 1900. 61 1/2x23 1/2 inches, 156x59 1/2 cm. Bourgerie & Cie., Paris. Condition B+ / B: repaired tears, creases and abrasions in margins and image; wooden dowels for hanging affixed at top and bottom. One of the major pavilions of the 1900 World's Fair exhibition in Paris was the Palais de la Danse (Palace of Dance). Generally intended to celebrate the art form, it was specifically conceived as a tribute to Loië Fuller's role in reviving dance as an art form. Her statue was placed atop the building. Within, the program included performances from all over the world featuring many different styles of dancing. After a fight with the pavilion's manager, Mssr. Bourdon, Miss Fuller decided not to perform there but, to build her own theatre, and they both asked Orazi to design their respective posters! (see Swann Art Nouveau Auction #2099, lot 80). Using an elongated format à la Mucha, Orazi represents Terpsichore, the Greek Goddess of music, song and dance. The fluid movement is evoked by the stylized Art Nouveau curls of her diaphanous dress and from her pouring a golden liquid into a cup, which is overflowing with decorative, circular effervescence (a motif which also appears in his Loië Fuller poster). DFP-II 674.
