Monday, June 30, 2014

French Artiste and Courtesan, Manon Loty, by Leopold Reutlinger, circa 1900

Superb portrait of Manon Loty, by Reutlinger, published by Clément, Tournier et Cie of Geneva Switzerland, circa 1900.

Mlle. Loty was such an incredible beauty. We adore this chignon! This is one out of a series by Reutlinger. Images from this series were very popular as evidenced by the fact that some of them are quite common even today. This particular image, on the other hand, is a far less common one out of the series, though not by any means rare.

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We know from reading in histories not concerning her directly, that Mlle. Loty was a popular entertainer in her time. Also, we know that she was often seen at Maxime's, the famous Parisian haunt of the fabulously wealthy royals and industrialists who entered into "arrangements" with the Belle Epoque courtesans of Paris who frequented the place.

In an article appearing in a 1910 issue of Pearson's magazine, that concerned the Marguerite Steinheil case, in which Mme. Steinheil was accused (though afterwards acquitted) of the murder of her husband and stepmother, and who previously, while already married to the painter Steinheil, was found with the president of France, who had apparently died of excitement as she was making love to him (yes, it is QUITE a story), Manon Loty's name was mentioned as a casual aside. The article's author held her up as an example of a "mercenary" woman, in an attempt to excite sympathy on the part of the reader, for Mme. Steinheil.

The significance of this is twofold. First, by dropping her name casually in a popular American magazine, the writer tells us that Mlle. Loty was very well known in 1910, even in the United States.

Second, to use her in an attempt to cast in a positive light a married woman previously found in flagrante delicto with the recently deceased French president, and then later suspected of a double murder, would suggest that Mlle. Loty was also very well known for some pretty scandalous behavior! So, it is surprising to us that we have only found indirect references to her, and no solid biographical information.
Well, we'll keep searching.

French Nude, Indolence, by G. Seignac, Salon de Paris, 1914. Selecta Pub.



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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

La Charité, Charity, a Virtuous Image, posted 1902



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Classic Art Nouveau Image, circa 1905



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French Dancer Marie Hett, circa 1900



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Long-Haired Gypsy Lass with Mandolin. N.P.G. Oranotype, circa 1905



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Douglas Fairbanks as the Son of Zorro. 1925 United Artists Spectacular



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Sister Act by Gerlach, Published by GG Co., circa 1905



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Saturday, June 21, 2014

Mlle. Cora Laparcerie in Oval Art Nouveau Frame, by Reutlinger of Paris, circa 1905



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Wine to China, circa 1910



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Cupid, the Honey Thief, Counseled by Venus, posted 1908



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Marie Thierry, Belle Epoque Artiste, on Early, Art Nouveau Card, circa 1900



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Autographed Eugenie Fougere, Notorious Music Hall Dancer, posted 1904



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Lovely Lina Cavalieri, Belle Epoque Opera Diva by Reutlinger, posted 1904



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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Billie Dove, Silent Film Star, Home from Carnivale, circa 1920s



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Mlle. Lorrison Holds Aloft the Chalice of Euterpe, circa 1900



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Anna Fouguez, Italian Stage and Screen Diva, circa 1920



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Corseted Mary Irber, Munich Variety Artist, Steps Out, Rotophot, circa 1910



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Maiden with Ancient Urn, Posted 1907



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Quatre Saisons, Gorgeous Series of Photogravures by Leopold Reutlinger, circa 1909



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Grace, Oranotype by N.P.G. of Berlin, circa 1904



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Willy and the Magic Grapes, Stebbing, circa 1900



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Monday, June 16, 2014

Walery Image of Charming French Dancer in Costume Orientale, circa 1905



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Les Reines de la Mode, The Queens of Fashion, French Postcard, posted 1911



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Young Belle Epoque Artiste in a Swing, circa 1905



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Belle Epoque Dancer Mlle Gerard, in Skimpy Costume and Pink Shoes



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1920s Flapper Queen, Mae Murray, Silent Movie Star, by A. Noyer



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Saturday, June 14, 2014

Monique Peeks Through the Theater Curtains, circa 1910

Monique peeked through the curtains. The audience was still filing in, finding seats, getting settled. Aimée pulled her back.

"If they see you before your act, Monsier Lesauvage will have you thrown out on your ear," she said.

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"Oh, but, I'm just so excited. My very first solo. Me!" Monique spun in a circle. "If only my dear Pierre could see me now."

Aimée smiled smugly. Monique didn't know that Aimée had sent her friend's beau a brief note. Carefully, she opened the curtain just wide enough that she could see out. Yes, he was just arriving, the handsome young art student for whom Monique had set her cap.

"Here, look through this way, so you can see without being seen." Aimée stood aside, still holding the gather of cloth, to give Monique a peek.

"Oh, what fun is that?" Monique flounced prettily to the curtain and put her eye to the tiny gap, only to push past Aimée and stick her head out. She whistled loudly, causing heads to turn, including that of the young man she favored. "Pierre! Just wait until you see!"

Aimée pulled her back, once more, and just in time too, for down the stairs from the office, who should appear but the manager, the formidable M. Lesauvage.

Lamotha in Clown Costume, Hand-Tinted image by Camus, circa 1900



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Boy Rides Giant Rabbit! French RPPC, circa 1905



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Polaire



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