Lot 122: Le Lys de la Vie/Loie Fuller. 1920.

Le Lys de la Vie/Loie Fuller. 1920.The talents of Loie Fuller have oft been lauded in the pages of PAI catalogues, both as a choreographer/dancer and as a technical innovator. But Loie the filmmaker? Quite honestly, we've never even had the opportunity-that is until now, thanks to this explosive black-and-grey Becan design for Le Lys de la Vie, a silent movie that Fuller co-directed with Georgette Sorrere. "Lily of Life" is actually one of a handful of experimental films directed by Fuller in the early part of the Twentieth Century-and the only one of which a portion still remains. The only surviving reel of her work is a segment featuring a show within a show-classically-costumed figures dancing by the sea, a banquet, royal intrigue and romance with Rene Clair featured as a prince on horseback. What does it all add up to? Nothing that could honestly be termed cohesive in all honesty. However, this odd snippet evokes a time when it was possible for choreographers working in the new field of modern dance and filmmakers working with the new technology of the cinematograph to crossover with ease in collaborations and experiments. It's also interesting to note that during her life, Fuller formed a close friendship with Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938). And why bring that up now? Because Queen Marie-born Princess Marie of England, the daughter of Queen Victoria's son Albert and his wife Marie-wrote the story upon which "Lys" is based, that's why. Bernard Becan created about 100 film posters, from 1919 on, as well as posters for the theater, newspapers and books. Most are in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale , but this rare piece is missing from their inventory.
BERNARD BECAN (1890-1943)

44 7/8 x 61 7/8 in./114 x 157.2 cm

1920.0

B+/ Slight tears and stains.

PRINTER
Atelier H. L. Bedos, Paris