Around 1900, Swiss artist Mary Golay created a stunning lithograph titled Le Paon (The Peacock), a vivid example of Art Nouveau's fascination with nature, beauty, and flowing organic forms. This piece, published by Clément Tournier & Co. and printed by Frey & Fils in Zurich, embodies the spirit of the Art Nouveau movement, which flourished across Europe from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
Golay was known for her work in decorative arts, fashion plates, and poster design. Her Le Paon lithograph showcases a striking peacock in full display, surrounded by cherry blossoms and intricate, nature-inspired motifs. The peacock, a symbol of beauty, pride, and immortality, was a frequent subject in Art Nouveau, celebrated for its graceful form and vibrant colors.
The composition of Le Paon is an elegant balance of symmetry and ornamentation. The peacock's plumage fans out across the canvas, with its iconic eyespots rendered in shades of green, yellow, and blue. The soft pink cherry blossoms framing the scene add to the sense of natural harmony, while the subtle gold background enhances the rich tones of the peacock's feathers.
Lithography, a printmaking process that uses stone or metal plates to transfer ink onto paper, was particularly well-suited to the detailed, curvilinear designs favored by Art Nouveau artists. Frey & Fils of Zurich, a well-regarded printing house at the time, ensured that Golay’s intricate designs were brought to life with clarity and vibrancy.
Today, Le Paon is admired not only for its artistic value but also as a quintessential example of Art Nouveau’s dedication to integrating beauty and craftsmanship into everyday life. Collectors of decorative art and posters from the Belle Époque era hold this lithograph in high regard, seeing in it the timeless elegance and natural inspiration that defined the turn-of-the-century aesthetic.
Art Nouveau - Bird - Flower
Rehaused Gold
Clément Tournier & Co, Frey & Fils, Zurich
Good condition, light tears, light missing down right
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