Repose - Louis Icart (1888-1950)

Old genuine Lithograph
Signed « Louis Icart ».
With the mention « copyright 1934 by L. Icart Sty. N.Y. »  

France
1934
measurements : 119 x 52 cm
framed measurements : 142 x 75 cm  

A similar model reproduced in « Louis Icart, The complete etchings », W. Holland, C. Catania, N. Isen, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1990, page 207, n°438.  

Biography :
Louis Icart (1888-1950) was a French painter, engraver and illustrator. Impressed by his talent as a draftsman, his aunt brought him to Paris: she owned Maison Valmont, a modist of the Belle Epoque. Louis Icart was then introduced into the world of illustration for the fashion press. He drew for the periodical "La Critique Theatrale" and for the catalogs of haute couture houses. Trained in engraving, he presented his original works at the Salon des comicistes: his portraits of women, "Parisiennes", began to seduce the public; he was compared to Paul César Helleu and Manuel Robbe.   During the First World War, Icart was an airplane pilot, flying in several air missions but did not stop drawing. In 1920, he exhibited at the Simonson Gallery in Paris, then, in 1922, in New York, Belmaison Gallery, more than thirty paintings expressing an Art Deco style. As a result of this exhibition, his engravings had some success in America until 1932. His work included more than five hundred engravings. He had also participated in the illustration of thirty books, including a good number of erotic. During the Occupation, Icart composed an engraved series entitled The Exodus. His work fell into oblivion after the war, but aroused renewed interest when, in the 1970s, some of his early paintings were found in the attic of an art school.