Art Deco

5/15/2019

May/June 2019 edition
Issue #5 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Tony Singer

The movement known as “Art Deco” was a shortened name version of the planned exhibition “Arts Decoratifs”, which was held in Paris in 1925. This was a deliberate shift away from Art Nouveau, with its flowing and undulating style, lasting from about 1920 until the mid-late 1930s.
Art Deco was directly influenced by some of the prior painting movements of Cubism with its geometric forms, and Fauvism and its bright colors. Generally, the look was simpler, more precise, less embellished, and more linear.

In the world of auto posters, you see a powerful image simply depicted, as with “Triplex” by Cassandre, done in 1931. Others by Falcucci, for various early 1930’s Monte Carlo events, are busier and yet far more colorful. Another dynamic image is “Aeroshell”, done in 1932 by Kauffer.

“Pierce Arrow” by Robert Lewis is a stellar example, done in 1929, with strong graphics and metallic silver ink. “Grand Prix Suisse”, by Graf, is a world-renowned image, and was chosen for the cover of the book on the event. Two fine designs, by Kow, convey power with color: “Cap d’Antibes” and “Hotchkiss”.

This is but a small sampling of the many artists working in this manner. Naturally the prices reflect rarity of each and range from $3000 for the Hotchkiss” by Kow, to $10,950 each for either “Rallye Monte Carlo” (1930 or 1931), to $11,500 for “Aeroshell”, to $13,500 for “Pierce Arrow” (to be sold at auction in May, 2019). Continuing upward in price…. $26,750 for “Grand Prix Monte Carlo”, to $25,450 for “Grand Prix Suisse”, and $28,950 for “Cap d’Antibes”, and lastly “Triplex” which is not for sale at this time.
TS