CHARLES GESMAR

Year: ca. 1928

Size: each 11 1/2 x 19 inches

Condition: Signed pencil, ink, and watercolor drawings. Framed.

Throughout the course of Gesmar's and Mistinguett's close working relationship, Gesmar designed thousands of costumes and 55 posters for the ebullient showgirl. His creative work was prolific, despite a tragically short life, and he sketched out his ideas constantly. Here, we can witness his planning process for his 1928 poster, Mistinguett / Rags to Riches (see PAI-LXXVII, 224). These images are particularly detailed and very closely resemble the finalized design. At this point in his career, he had finessed his skills and was at the height of his game, but sadly, this also marked his last poster for Mistinguett. (2)

Size: 8 1/4 x 11 inches

Condition: Signed watercolor, pencil, and ink drawing.

Gesmar designed thousands of costumes for Mistinguett, but this is certainly one of the sexiest garments he envisioned. He’s drawn the cabaret star all lithe and leggy with flirtatious rosy cheeks and red nails to match. But while this drawing was titled “Mistinguett in a Black Swimsuit,” it could be argued that this is, in fact, a negligee—notice the lacy details on her thighs. Tres risqué!