Dufy by Design: The Fabric Designs of Raoul Dufy

June 4 - Aug. 21, 2010

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Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953) has been recognized for his work as a Fauvist painter, known for bold color and strong lines. Dufy was also one of the great innovators of twentieth century textile design, an aspect of his work that has been relatively unknown. He worked with Parisian couture fashion designer Paul Poiret, a leading designer who became known for his flamboyant style. Poiret is often credited for freeing women from constricting garments with new ideas of draping fabric. Between 1912 and 1928, Dufy also worked with Bianchini-Frier, the leading French silk manufacturer who had previously tried and failed to duplicate Dufys bold woodblock prints, causing them to work directly with the artist.

Dufy created original Art Deco designs in silks, dress fabrics, and wall hangings with designs that are whimsical, boldly colored, and dynamic. Dufy by Design: The Fabric Designs of Raoul Dufy presents more than 100 original silk fabrics and fabric designs from the archives of Bianchini-Frier in Lyon, France, and thirteen dresses designed by Mongi Guibane and Christian LaCroix using Dufy fabric designs are included. This exhibition offers an unprecedented view of Dufys oeuvre.

Dufys work is also represented in the University of Wyoming Art Museums permanent collection. The watercolor, La Plage Et Le Port is currently on view in the exhibition, Artists from France: Paintings and Prints from the Art Museum Collection. A comparison between this painting and Dufys fabric designs highlight the stylistic similarities in his handling of paint, color, and composition.

• Curated by Shirley Howarth and circulated through The Humanities Exchange.
• Funded in part by Roy and Caryl Cline, an anonymous sponsor, AT&T, National Advisory Board of the UW Art Museum, Albany County Tourism Board, and Wyoming Public Radio.

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Images:

Left: Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953), Elephants (Elephants), c. 1920-1922, watercolor, gouache, 14.8 x 14.7 inches, image courtesy of the Humanities Exchange

Center: Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953), Fleurs et feuillages (Flowers and Foliage), c. 1915-1925, gouache, 37.5 x 37.2 inches, image courtesy of the Humanities Exchange

Right: Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953), Composition geometrique (Geometric Composition), c. 1919-1928, gouache, 12.9 x 10 inches, image courtesy of the Humanities Exchange