Mariano Fortuny was a designer of textiles and couture at the beginning of the 20th century. Born in Spain, he lived in Venice and showed his work there and in Paris. He specialized in spectacular luxury fabrics based on Reinaissance and Byzantine revival patters: double-cut velvets, gilded screenprinted silks and chiffons. His most famous creation was a unique plisse (hand-pleated) silk that clung sensuously to the body. His "Delphos" dress, made of this extraordinary cloth and based on ancient Green dress, was world-famous. Isadora Duncan and Eleanora Duse wore his dresses. Orson Welles made costumes from his textiles for his production of "Othello". Fortuny was also a celebrated designer of interior furnishings, theatre sets and costumes. Fortuny belongs in the pantheon of Art Nouveau and the Gilded Age, with Tiffany, Galle, the Pre-Raphaelites, Gustave Moreau, Whistler and William Morris. He was also an accomplished painter in the style of Moreau and the Macchiaioli (Italian Impressionists).His design house is still in operation and modern editions of his textiles, lamps and dresses are available. He has influenced succh current designers as Mary McFadden and Issey Miyake. This book offers a survey of his life and work.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Anne-Marie Deschodt and Doretta Daranzo Poli showcase the couture, lamps, photographs and paintings of renowned Gilded Age designer Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949). His pleated silk Delphos dresses and multi-tiered and tasseled silk lamps still win admiration from the fashion crew; his photography, painting and theatre set designs are less well known. Isadora Duncan wore his dresses and Orson Welles used his textiles for Othello's costumes; Fortuny's aesthetic endures in fashion and furniture design today, as the 309 photos and illustrations (163 in full color) and the careful research here show.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Although Mariano Fortuny is primarily known for his sumptuous textiles and elegant fashions, he is regarded as an early 20th-century renaissance man equally skilled as a photographer, interior designer, furniture designer, painter, and inventor. As this volume illustrates, he was also fascinated with technology and theater and has been credited with numerous inventions, including the electrical dimmer switch an idea that grew out of his work in theater design and stage lighting. His name has been linked artistically to Gabriele D'Annunzio, Vaslav Nijinsky, Eleanora Duse, Ruth St. Denis, and Isadora Duncan. In his later years he designed costumes for Orson Welles's film Othello. Fortuny's lush textiles coupled with this book's lavish photography make for a visual treat. Unfortunately, the book is poorly indexed, and much of its material is already covered in Guillermo de Osma's Mariano Fortuny: His Life and Work (1980. o.p.). The Osma book is also much more comprehensive, and it contains informative lists of Fortuny's patents and of museums containing his work. Unless your library has absolutely nothing on this genius, consider this book an unnecessary purchase. Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fortuny,
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This review is from: Fortuny (Hardcover)
What a beautiful book. The photos are gorgeous. I had no idea that Fortuny invented indirect lighting for the theatre, the dimmer switch, and a movable dome that could have images projected on it for the backdrop. He was truly a multitalented man. I bought the book mostly to learn more about the Delphos pleated dress. While there are many lovely photos, old and new, I wished there had been some schematics of the various versions of the dress. I wished there had been more information on how it was made, but then again, I guess that was supposed to be his big secret that died with him. As a weaver and textile artist, I still find the book inspiring, and it was worth the high price.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Luscious Book!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Fortuny (Hardcover)
If you admire the work of Fortuny or if you just love beautiful textiles, this is the book for you. The photographs of his textiles are simply gorgeous and the text is well researched.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good vendor experience and good book.,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Fortuny (Hardcover)
Excellent condition. Fast shipping. An informative study of Fortuny through text and some stunning images
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