Wednesday 27 February 2008

Janine Janet


The Paris apartment of M and Mme Janet, 2000.
The portrait of Janine Janet is by her husband Jean-Claude Janet.



Sphinx, one of a pair, gilded bronze.



Euriydice aux Enfers, gouache on paper, 1951.





Wooden figures with iron nails, created for Balenciaga in 1959.
Ensembles from the autumn collection photographed outside of the windows of Balenciaga's avenue George-V salon in 1962.



Maquette for L'Ange Noir, commissioned by Pierre Arpels.


Bust in jet and coral for Balenciaga, 1958.


Detail of a bathroom door panel, commissioned by Alberto Pinto, 1981.

All images from Janine Janet: Metamorphoses

Janine Janet was a sculptor who brought nature to life. Her language was that of mythology; mythology that has now seemingly been forgotten. How sad it must be to see her work and not actually see all its many facets.
Recognised and lauded by the great creators of her time, yet seemingly lost to the subsequent generation of mimics.
How can they possibly understand a language they do not speak?

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via FoxyTunes

8 comments:

Mrs. Blandings said...

Unbelievable - the bust and the door detail being my favorite. Your inspiration is limitless.

Pigtown*Design said...

The bottom photo reminds me of the grotto room at Mallet's Bourdon House.

Easy and Elegant Life said...

"L'Ange Noir" must be stunning to see in real life.

katiedid said...

TRhese are wonderful. Teh bust is incredible.

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Oh, I was going to post about her! Bravo! She also did the most marvelous sculptures for the grill room of an ocean liner in the early 1970s ...

HOBAC said...

Al - you still should. This is the muse bouche to what I am sure will be a banquet.

Parisbreakfasts said...

These are extraordinary!!!
She did have a show in 2003...not totally forgotten..hmmm

HOBAC said...

So glad to hear that - she was brilliant, it would be a shame (and a loss) if she were forgotten.