Ludwig Bemelmans (Austrian-American, 1898-1962). "L'Institut" painted and glazed white ceramic plate, ca. 1950s. Signed "Bemelmans" on recto. Inscribed on verso: "L'Institut / Bemelmans / edition / "Tapis-Vert" / (RJ) / Vallauris / Made / In / FRANCE". A beautiful plate from the Madeline series painted by Ludwig Bemelmans at Tapis Vert Pottery in Vallauris, France. Bemelmans was an Austrian-American writer and illustrator who was best known for his children's books, the most famous being his Madeline picture book series. From the late 1940s through the 1950s the Batigne family invited artists including Marcel Vertes, Amedee Ozenfant, Anton Prinner, and Bemelmans to create special editions at Tapis Vert. Interestingly, Picasso was among the Batigne's collaborators and friends, and his presence at Tapis Vert was what attracted Bemelmans and other artists to Vallauris. Size: 8.125" diameter x .875" H (20.6 cm x 2.2 cm)
About the artist: Ludwig Bemelmans is best known for his Madeline series which first introduced this endearing little girl attending a Catholic boarding school in Paris in 1939. Readers enjoyed reading about the fearless Madeline and all of her adventures, as well as Bemelmans' pictures of Parisian life. Bemelmans drew inspiration from his mother's stories of growing up in a convent as well as his own experience attending an American reform school. In addition to the first book, Bemelmans added five more books to complete the series. These included: Madeline's Rescue (1953), Madeline and the Bad Hat (1956), Madeline and the Gypsies (1959), Madeline in London (1961) and Madeline's Christmas (1985). A seventh book, Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales, was discovered after Bemelmans' death and published posthumously. Bemelmans received a Caldecott Medal for the second book in the series, Madeline's Rescue. Even today, readers continue to delight in Madeline's adventures, and Bemelmans' illustrations are cherished by readers of all ages.
Provenance: private Waverly, Pennsylvania, USA collection
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#179355
Condition
Signed "Bemelmans" on recto. Inscribed on verso: "L'Institut / Bemelmans / edition / "Tapis-Vert" / (RJ) / Vallauris / Made / In / FRANCE". Intact and excellent with just a few near invisible tool marks.