Charles Gesmar, 'Jane Marnac'

Charles Gesmar (French, 1900 - 1928)

Jane Marnac

Gouache and ink on paper with some watercolour

Signed ‘C. Gesmar. 21’ (upper left)

18 x 18 in. (45.8 x 45.8 cm.)

Gesmar had a very short but successful artistic career prior to his tragic death from pneumonia. He designed for Mistinguett, creating costumes as well as many other commissions for the theatres of the day in Paris. He worked with posters and is thought of as a talent equal to Leon Bakst, his graphic designs linking the works of Toulouse Lautrec and Rene Grau. His works reflects the Jazz Age perfectly.

Jane Marnac was a Belgian stage and film actress. Predominantly working in Paris, Marnac sung in numerous stage productions such as Au temps des valses by Noël Coward at the Apollo in 1930. Marnac also appeared in several films such as The Darling of Paris in 1931.

From surviving prints, posters and drawings, it is acknowledged that Charles Gesmar created posters and costume designs for Marnac on at least 3 occasions.