The "Semaine du Dessin" in Paris galleries (1)

17/3/24 - Art market - Paris - "Oh you who leaf through these pages, having in your soul the unhealthy hope of finding in them the supreme power of Evil, be disappointed!" Be disappointed, because Mathieu Néouze is less into witchcraft than symbolism, and the women who haunt his gallery for his new exhibition are not all fatal.

1. Manuel Orazi (1860-1934)
The Witch, 1895
Charcoal and pastel - 51.5 x 73 cm
Paris, Galerie Mathieu Néouze
Photo: Galerie Mathieu Néouze

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Austin de Croze’s harangue on the dashed hopes of an unhealthy soul concludes the 1896 Calendrier magique, which was printed in a symbolic 777 copies. Commissioned by Siegfried Bing for his Art Nouveau gallery, the long vertical format combines references to astrology, witchcraft and esotericism with a touch of humour. The texts were written by Austin Croze, better known for his work as a food critic, and the illustrations were designed by Manuel Orazi. One of the witches featured in the calendar was also depicted by the artist in a large horizontal format in a simplified composition (ill. 1). This Italian, who lived in France, was an illustrator and poster artist, as well as a painter and decorator. Perhaps one of his best-known works is the poster for Théodora, a play by Victorien Sardou, in which the lead role was played by Sarah Bernhardt.

2. Alexis Mérodack-Jeaneau (1873-1919)
Woman in White, 1899
Charcoal and pastel - 43 x 35.5 cm
Paris, Galerie Mathieu Néouze
Photo : Galerie Mathieu Néouze

See the image in its page

If the mad look in the eyes of this black witch is a little worrying, the one cast by the white and beautiful young woman right next to her is no less alarming (ill. 2); she turns towards the guilty spectator, represented by Alexis Mérodack-Jeaneau. The artist produced a series of pastel portraits entitled Women in White, which we glimpsed in the exhibition devoted to him by the Musée d’Angers in 2019 (see