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Book cover for "Deux Contes", 1926. Creator: Paul Gruel. Book cover for "Deux Contes", 1926. Creator: Paul Gruel
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Book cover for "Deux Contes", 1926. Creator: Paul Gruel. Book cover for "Deux Contes", 1926. Creator: Paul Gruel
Book cover for "Deux Contes", 1926. Francois-Louis Schmied (1873-1941) was a painter, illustrator, engraver, and bookbinder who, in the years following World War I, specialized in creating editions de luxe (luxury editions) - lavishly and artistically produced luxury volumes. Overseeing the typography, page design, printing, illustration, engraving, and binding, Schmied spared nothing to achieve the quality he desired. Although this copy of two of Oscar Wilde's fables, translated into French, was bound by Paul Gruel rather than Schmied himself, it is entirely fitting for such an extravagantly made book
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Media ID 36370749
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Art Deco Book Cover Francois Louis Schmied Gold Leaf Oscar Fingal Oflahertie Wills Wilde Oscar Wilde Schmied Francois Louis Walters Art Museum Wilde Oscar Graphic Design
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite book cover, created by Paul Gruel for the 1926 edition of "Deux Contes" (Two Tales) by Oscar Wilde, showcases the opulence and artistic craftsmanship of the luxury editions produced in the aftermath of World War I. Francois-Louis Schmied, a painter, illustrator, engraver, and bookbinder, oversaw every aspect of these editions de luxe, from typography and page design to printing, illustration, and binding. Although Schmied himself did not bind this particular copy, which features translations of Wilde's fables into French, the gold leaf and goatskin cover by Paul Gruel is a fitting representation of the extravagant quality that defined these luxury volumes. Produced in the 1920s, this book cover reflects the Art Deco aesthetic that dominated the era, with its bold use of color and geometric shapes. The intricate gold decoration and the contrast between the rich, deep hues and the crisp, clean lines create a visual feast for the eyes. The cover design is a testament to the enduring appeal of Oscar Wilde's stories, which continue to captivate readers with their wit, wisdom, and timeless themes. This beautiful book cover is now part of the collection of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, USA, where it is preserved for future generations to appreciate as a masterpiece of 20th-century art and book design.
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