Paris of the 1920s embodied the heady days between the two world wars, and avant-garde music, dance, and art were breaking free of academic molds. This vibrant modern milieu is documented in the vivacious sculpture by Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947), whose small-scale works in bronze and ivory - a technique known as chryselephantine - rank among the best sculpture from the period. Chiparus's work perfectly captures the spirit of Art Deco at its most lively and decorative, capturing the joie de vivre of the Jazz Age. The author, Alberto Shayo, defines Art Deco, establishing its antecedents in Art Nouveau, cubism, and futurism. He elequently describes the various contemporary inspirations for Chiparus such as Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, the stage designs of Leon Bakst, haute couture and the New Woman, and particularly the Parisian music hall whose erotic and daring dancers were the single most important source for Chiparus's delightful figures. Previously unpublished details of the life of Chiparus are recorded in this book (until now not even his birth and death dates had been firmly established), making it an invaluable source of information on this master Art Deco artist.

Place your cursor over the book cover or title to see the Amazon.com discount price, availability, and a link to buy the book. Alternatively, click on the book cover or title to go directly to the Amazon.com page with full information about this top rated collector book. Your purchases through Collectics Collector Bookstore are securely processed and shipped by Amazon.com and help support our free programs like the Antiques & Collectibles Quiz, Reference & Education, and the Decorative Arts Museum 1890-1935. Thank you!

Chiparus: Master of Art Deco