Marcel Vertès Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Marcel Vertès (1895-1961) A Music hall artist, signed lower right and dedicated "à monsieur Pierre Guastalla bien sympathiquement son confrère Vertès" lower left Pencil on paper 20.8 x 13.8 cm framed : 30.5 x 24.5 cm This little drawing is very characteristic of the lively style of Marcel Vertès, but also of his inspiration. You can see the artist's nervous line, immediately evocative of the figure he is portraying. This is clearly an artist preparing for a performance, and there is obviously an ambiguity in this androgynous figure, even though it is recognisable as a man. Vertès's pencilwork serves this subject admirably. He was particularly inspired by the world of shows and music halls, which he dealt with throughout his career. The drawing is dedicated to another artist, Pierre Guastalla (1891-1968), whose world was different but whose affinities with Marcel Vertès are obvious, since he also devoted a great deal of time to engraving between the wars. Emmanuel Marcel Vertès, born Vértes Marcell in Újpest (Hungary) on 10 August 1895 and died in Paris 16th arrondissement on 31 October 1961, was a Hungarian-born French painter, engraver, illustrator and costume and film designer. After studying with Ferenczy at the Beaux-Arts in Budapest, Marcel Vertès produced political posters during the First World War. Going into exile at the end of the hostilities, like his comrades Mihály Bíró and Róbert Berény, he studied at the Académie Julian in Paris. He made a name for himself in France in the mid-1920s, particularly for his lithographs and illustrations. He published L'heure exquise, a series of erotic engravings...

Here for your consideration is a very well executed oil pastel on archival paper by the well known French artist, Marcel Vertes. Signed lower right. Condition is excellent. Circa 1930. The artwork was done early in the artist’s career; most likely in Paris during his time studying at the Academie Julian. The artwork is housed in its original frame under glass. The ornate gold frame has been recently restored and is in good condition. Overall framed measurements are 31.5 by 26.5 inches. Provenance: A Pennsylvania estate. Marcel Vertès (born Marcell Vértes), was born on August 10, 1895 in Budapest, Hungary. His first commercially successful works of art were sketches of corpses, criminals and prostitutes he did for a sensationalist magazine in Budapest. He then did illustrations for many of the clandestinely printed publications opposing the Hapsburg monarchy at the end of WWI. After the war he moved from his native Hungary to Vienna, Austria and then to Paris, where he was a student at the Academy Julian, living and working in the famous Latin Quarter. Vertes quickly established himself as a regular in the Paris art scene and his work became lighter and more lyrical. In Paris he concentrated on illustration, painting and printmaking, especially lithography. In 1935 he made his first trip to New York to make contacts. Two years later he had his first one-man show in New York. At the end of WWII he returned to New York with his wife, escaping the Nazi invasion of Paris by two days. He then began to divide his time between New York and Paris. Ten years later, he returned to his beloved Paris and spent the remaining years of his life there. While in the United States he became a consultant to the Producers and Set Designers of the 1952 Award Winning film Moulin Rouge, about the life and times of artist Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). He won two Academy Awards for ‘Best Art Direction’ and ‘Best Costume Design’. Interestingly, Marcel Vertès originally earned his tuition money for his European education by making forgeries of Lautrec's works. As such, his expertise was exhibited in the film when his hand is used as the hand of Toulouse Lautrec as he drew, and his images were accordingly used in the film and given appropriate credit in the trailer to the film. Vertes also appeared in the British production credits as Color Production Designer, and Costume Designer for the film, with Schiaparalli (the same of Paris, and Italy). They both jointly won the British Academy Film award in 1952 for Best Costume Design for Moulin Rouge. Vertès is also responsible for the original murals in the Café Carlyle in the Carlyle Hotel in New York City and for those in the Peacock Alley...

This is an original illustration watercolor or gouache painting and drawing on paper. It appears to be a circus performer or acrobat with horses. Measures 26" H x 23-1/2" W, sight. f...

Erotic Drawing n. 6 is an original black China ink drawing on "British" ivory-colored paper. Hand-signed in black China ink on the lower right margin....

Erotic Drawing n. 9 is an original blue China ink drawing on "British" ivory-colored paper. Hand-signed in blue China ink on the lower right margin. In excellent conditions, except for a light fold on the right margin. This light defect does not affect the real beauty of the drawing. Passepartout included: 34 x 49 cm. Erotic illustration...

Erotic Drawing n. 2 is an original blue China ink drawing on ivory colored paper. Hand-signed in black China ink on the lower right margin. In excellent conditions, except for a light fold on the left margin. Including passepartout: 34 x 49 cm. Very interesting drawing representing five erotic scenes. Marcel Vertès, also called Marcell Vértes (Hungary, 1895 –1961) was a French costume designer and a well-known illustrator of Hungarian origins. He won the Best Art Director and the Best Costume Design (Academy Awards) for his movie “Moulin Rouge” in 1952. His name is also associated with the original murals in the Café Carlyle...

Erotic Drawing n. 3 is an original blue and black China ink drawing on "British" paper, of ivory color. Hand-signed in black China ink on the lower right margin. In excellent conditions: as good as new. Passepartout included: 34 x 49 cm. Wonderful illustration with a delicate outline, representing four erotic scenes with women and men. Marcel Vertès, also called Marcell Vértes (Hungary, 1895 –1961) was a French costume designer and a well-known illustrator of Hungarian origins. He won the Best Art Director and the Best Costume Design (Academy Awards) for his movie “Moulin Rouge” in 1952. His name is also associated with the original murals in the Café Carlyle...

This is an original Theater costume illustration painting and drawing on paper. Russian bearded Cossack man. stamped Atelier Vertes and pencil si...

This is an original Theater costume illustration painting and drawing on paper. Russian bearded Cossack man. stamped Atelier Vertes and pencil si...

Marcel Vertes was born in Hungary and studied at the Academy Julian in Paris. Following his time at the Academy, Vertes lived and worked in the Latin Quarter, following French Impres...

Girl with Grapes, Charming stylized post-impressionist work by the Hungarian French costume designer and illustrator . Most likely done for a high fash...