Modern Print Monday: Jean-Denis Malclès

“Déjeuner sur l’herbe” by

Jean-Denis Malclès for Pierre Frey, 1944,

Paris

Jean-Denis Malclès (1912-2002)

Book Illustration for Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant, 194

Malcles was primarily a set designer for theater, film, ballet and opera from the 1940s until the end of the 20th century, but he also painted designs for Pierre Frey.

Malclès's mid-century patterns are in the same style as Cecil Beaton's

painterly prints. Splashes of color, sketchy lines and few defining outlines---

Gouache painting for fabric

but Malcles's are as French and frothy as a Maurice Chevalier movie,

which were probably inspired by Malcles's vision for set design.

Paris Streets, circa 1950,

features street signs

You can still buy Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe (or Fruits)

Click here to see the Pierre Frey catalog.

http://www.pierrefrey.com/uk/produit/tissus/2292-F2936001-dejeuner_sur_l_herbe.htm