Dufy

Raoul (1887-1953). French painter. A meeting in 1909 with Poiret, the famous Parisian tailor, would have great influence on Dufy’s artistic production. They developed an intense relationship of friendship and collaboration, based on their common taste for decoration and experimentation with different techniques. In 1910, Poiret suggested to Dufy that he apply the system of wood block printing to fabrics. Later, in Poiret’s atelier, the Petite Usine, with the help of a chemist, Dufy applied a new technique of printing on fabric which allowed him to transfer to textiles the elements that were typical in his painting, such as brilliant colors and sharp contrasts. In 1911, his relationship with Poiret broken off, Dufy became artistic director of the celebrated textile firm Bianchini-Ferier of Lyon. From 1930 to ’33 he created printed silks for Onandaga in New York. Dufy’s refined ornaments are flowers: roses, anemones, chrysanthemums, feverfews, daisies, poppies, and fleur-de-lis, on vivid colors or on black-and-white backgrounds. His fabrics also show oriental motifs such as arabesques, embroidered in gold and silver on a black ground, paisley patterns, and flowers and animals in the style of Assyrian iconography.