Théâtre de la Mode / "Ma femme est une sorcière"
Photography
Inventory number
2021.6.22.11.PH.FA.1945.FRAuthor:
Robert DOISNEAU (French, Gentilly 1912 - 1994 Montrouge)Description
Paper photograph representing 2 dolls in a scary atmosphere wearing in a wedding dress, one is lying on a bed with a straw matella, the other is looking at her.This photo shows part of the stage entitled "Ma femme est une sorcière" (I Married a Witch) imagined by the French filmmaker and painter Jean COCTEAU (1889-1963). The scene features a total of 11 ladies in long dresses inside of a burnt maid's room. Through the holes in the ceiling and walls we discover a bird's-eye view of Paris. COCTEAU creates this scene as a surreal tribute to René CLAIR's film of the same name and released in 1942. Our photo is a detail showing 2 dolls designed by Marcel ROCHAS (for the one lying on a bed) and Alix Marcelle TIZEAU (or GRES according to Geneviève PERREAU). Jean COCTEAU declare about this scene: “On an iron bed I will assleep a fainting bride, upside down. Behind her, several ladies standing in dismay". The photo was published in a double page magazine, page 22 and 23.
The "Théâtre de la Mode" was conceived as a travelling show, at the initiative of the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture parisienne (French trade association of high fashion), with the aim of promoting haute couture and related trades. The exhibition took place in Paris, at Pavillon de Marsan, from March 28 to April 29, 1945, then traveled the world until 1946. The presentation consists of fourteen decorated paintings under the artistic direction of Christian BERARD. The wire dolls were made by J St MARTIN from a drawing by Eliane BONABEl, the faces were molded from the sculptures of REBULL.
Material
Analog photographyOrigin
1945 Paris, FranceDimensions
Length : 24 cmHeight : 17.5 cm
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Signes