Sunday 31 October 2010

Dreaming of One Thousand and One Nights

In 1923, Ernst Rosenbaum (alias: Ernst Roenau) published his adaptation of "One Thousand and One Nights" (Vienna, Munk) with magnificent illustrations by Rosa Rosà . Probably around the same time the book was also published in Chicago by Julius Wisotzki.














In contrast to 19th-century orientalism which dominated most of the illustrative works on "One Thousand and One Nights" at the time, Rosà presents her fairytale interpretations in a powerfully decorative style that seems to be a bit influenced by fashion designs of the Art Déco. There is a strong interest in form and patterns, which might also derive from folk art which was a great source of inspiration in these times. The colourful lithographs even encourage associations with the even more detailed and equally fantastic works of Léon Bakst or the illustrations of the Russian artist Iwan Bilibin.



























Just as Fernande Biegler, another female artist of the time, of who's biography is equally little known, Rosà found her own and unique way to illustrate and re-count the well-known Arabian fairy tales. Her "stylish", nearly two-dimensional images present a colourful world full of wonders which mirrors the character of the fairy tales perfectly. It is no doubt a pity, that there is nothing else of her work known nowadays.

4 comments:

Laura said...

What a beautiful blog you have. I found it when looking for images from the Arabian Nights. I'm now passing a great deal of this Saturday evening reading the posts and admiring the pictures.

Thank you.

Rem said...

This is a very good blog
pity that the illustrations are so small

enoughtoil said...

There is an error in your otherwise excellent description of Rosa's work. You write: "It is no doubt a pity, that there is nothing else of her work known nowadays."
Actually, Rosa also beautifully illustrated another book by Ernst Roenau. The text is in German; I know of no translation into English. It is entitled "Das Persische Papageienbuch" ("The Persian Parrotbook"). It was published in 1922 in Vienna by Artur Wolf Verlag.

rustydog2 said...

Thank you so much for this blog and enoughtoil for your additional information. It is very sad there is so little of her work. In this way she reminds me of Virginia Frances Sterrett. I did find a online book link for "Das persische Papageienbuch" where you can view her other work.
http://www.archive.org/stream/daspersischepapa00roenuoft#page/n5/mode/2up

If the link doesn't work you can find it on The Internet Archive, archive.org