"Chez Maxim"
Paris: Ca. 1920. Limited edition. Signed limited edition original color lithographic art print by the renowned Hungarian and French artist Marcel Vertes (1895-1961) of one of the most fashionable restaurants in Paris, founded in 1893 and given an over the top Art Nouveau interior in 1899. Maxim's attracted the glitterati of the day; Cocteau said of the women who were seen there: "It was an accumulation of velvet, lace, ribbons, diamonds and what all else I couldn't describe. To undress one of these women is like an outing that calls for three weeks' advance notice, it's like moving house."
This is a wonderfully comic view of a French restaurant not normally seen: in the foreground two male guests in black suits, wearing red fez like hats with swans, make use of the men's rest room. In the middle ground we see several ladies in their rest room, some applying makeup, and to the far left we catch a glimpse of a corner of the dining room. With red and orange pencil color highlights.
In Paris, Vertes lived and worked in the Latin quarter, rapidly making his reputation in the art world which included Toulouse-Lautrec. Vertes portrayed scenes of Paris street life, women and later, circus and cabaret acts.
Printed on Arches paper, 22 1/4" by 15". Signed in pencil on front at lower right corner. Very good condition. Item #20390
Price: $450.00