FLORA & FAUNA
Model wearing Poiret’s La Perse coat made of fabric printed by Dufy • Circa 1911 • Image courtesy of Raoul Dufy 1877 - 1953
How the nature inspired engravings of 3rd Century Indian Buddhist temples have an uncanny resemblance to Raoul Dufy’s textiles for the French fashion designer Paul Poiret… Dufy’s bold floral block print that decorated Poiret’s 1911 La Perse coat is strikingly similar to the especially modern, and seemingly Art Deco, graphic reliefs found carved on the gates and pillars of India’s Great Stupa of Sanchi…
Detail of the floral carvings on one of the gates at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India
The Great Stupa at Sanchi has been the focal point of the Buddhist faith in the region since it was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. The grand structure still inspires awe today as it sits atop a hill, surrounded by the remains of smaller stupas, monasteries, and temples that were built as the religious community grew in the centuries after the site was founded. It is decorated with some of the most magical Buddhist artwork in the world, depicting flora, fauna and scenes depicting Buddha’s life.
An illustration of Poiret’s La Perse coat by Paul Vera
“As well as presenting himself as an artist and patron of the arts, Poiret promoted his fashions as unique and original works of art in and of themselves. He did this by marshaling the visual and performing arts, and by working with artists associated with avant-garde modernism. Among Poiret's various collaborations, the most enduring was with Raoul Dufy, whose career as a textile designer he helped launch. Dufy's flat, graphic patterns were ideally suited to Poiret's planar, abstract designs, a fact that is palpable in such signature creations as "La Perse" coat, "La Rose d'Iribe" dress, and the "Bois de Boulogne" dinner dress, which is made from a fabric that Dufy designed in conjunction with the silk manufacturer Bianchini-Férier… Dufy's boldly graphic designs reflected Poiret's preference for the artisanal...” • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the four gateways at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India
Woodcut print by Dufy for Poiret’s Rosine perfume Toute la Forêt • Circa 1912 • Image courtesy of POIRET 1879 - 1944 by Yvonne Deslandres
Detail of the floral carvings on one of the gates at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India
Bianchini Férier Advertisement for Raoul Dufy’s Toiles de Tournon collection • Circa 1925
Eve Lavallière wearing Poiret’s La Perse Coat in the play Les Favorites by Alfred Capus • Circa 1911 • Théâtre du Vaudeville, Paris
Eve Lavallière wearing Poiret’s La Perse Coat in the play Les Favorites by Alfred Capus • Circa 1911 • Yves Marevéry • Image courtesy of Gallica Digital Library
The Sculptures on the East Gateway of the Stupa of Sanchi • 1875 • Joseph David Beglar • Image courtesy of the British Library
Photograph of Pillars of the Eastern Gateway at Sanchi • This photograph is from a set of photographs by James Waterhouse and W.H. Griggs to illustrate Tree and Serpent Worship by James Fergusson, which was published in 1868 • Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Marshall with His Wife, Daughter and Her Governess at Eastern Gateway of Great Stupa, Sanchi • Circa 1912 - 1918 • Image courtesy of The Marshall Albums : Photography and Archaeology
Sanchi Tope, East Gate, Left Pillar • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India • Image courtesy of Old Indian Photos
Sanchi Tope, Detail of Carvings • Topographical Album • 19th Century • Lala Deen Dayal • Victoria and Albert Museum, London
La Perse Coat • 1911 • Paul Poiret • Image courtesy of POIRET by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton for the 2007 Poiret : King of Fashion exhibition • The Costume Institute • The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Page of a Raoul Dufy Swatch Book for Bianchini Férier • Circa 1912 - 1928 • Image courtesy of Museo del Tessuto, Prato
A plate reproducing the pattern of the La Perse fabric created by Raoul Dufy for Paul Poiret • Circa 1919 • Image courtesy of Diktaks
A detailed view of the decorative discs on the gateway pillar in front of the second stupa at Sanchi • Circa 1880’s • The British Museum, London
Pillars of Northern Gate, Sanchi Tope, From the East • 1882 • Raja Lala Deen Dayal • Image courtesy of the British Library
Detail of the floral carvings on one of the gates at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India
La Perse, projet de tissu pour Paul Poiret • 1911 • Raoul Dufy • Image courtesy of Antoine Laurentin Gallery
Eastern Gateway. Great Tope • Circa 1880’s • The British Museum, London
Portrait of Olga de Meyer • Circa 1918 • Adolf de Meyer • National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Detail of the floral carvings on one of the gates at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India
One of the four gateways at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • Circa 1880’s • Sanchi, India
C'est Moi • Fashion plate featuring a coat by Paul Poiret • 1922 • Gazette du Bon Ton • André Edouard Marty • Image courtesy of Trillium Rare Prints
The Eastern Gateway at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • Circa 1880’s • The British Museum, London
Detail of the floral carvings on one of the gates at the Great Stupa at Sanchi • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India
Tree and Serpent Worship : or, Illustrations of Mythology and Art in India • Circa 1868 • James Fergusson • Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
La Perse Coat • 1911 • Paul Poiret • Image courtesy of POIRET by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton for the 2007 Poiret : King of Fashion exhibition • The Costume Institute • The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Back of West Gate • 3rd Century B.C. • Sanchi, India • Image courtesy of Old Indian Photos
Portrait of Olga de Meyer modeling Poiret’s La Perse Coat • Circa 1918 • Adolf de Meyer
Detail of La Perse Coat • 1911 • Paul Poiret • Image courtesy of POIRET by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton for the 2007 Poiret : King of Fashion exhibition • The Costume Institute • The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
La Perse Coat • 1911 • Paul Poiret • Image courtesy of POIRET by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton for the 2007 Poiret : King of Fashion exhibition • The Costume Institute • The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
