Privat Livemont – Between tradition and modernity at the heart of Art Nouveau (1861-1936) – Benoît Schoonbroodt 2007 (book)

This post is also available in:

Privat Livemont: Between Tradition and Modernity at the Heart of Art Nouveau (1861-1936)
Reference book by Benoît Schoonbroodt
Racine Lannoo Publishers – 2007 – 183 pages – Hardcover
Book in very good condition, cover intact.
ISBN: 9782873865306
Language: French

Antoine Théodore Livemont, better known as Privat Livemont (or Henri Privat-Livemont), is one of the greatest Belgian poster artists of Art Nouveau. Born on October 9, 1861, in Schaerbeek (Brussels) and died on October 4, 1936, in the same municipality, he elegantly embodies the transition between decorative tradition and graphic modernity.

After training at the Saint-Josse-ten-Noode Academy of Drawing under Adolphe Crespin, Paul Saintenoy, and Léon Govaerts, he received a scholarship that allowed him to hone his skills as a decorative painter in Paris. Between 1883 and 1889, he participated in prestigious projects: decorating the Paris City Hall, cataloging the furnishings of the Comédie-Française, and designing sets for Hamlet at the Opéra Garnier.

Upon returning to Schaerbeek, he opened his own decorating studio. In 1890, he won the poster competition for the local artists’ circle’s art exhibition quite by chance. He engraved his own lithographic stones and produced some forty exquisitely detailed Art Nouveau posters, primarily between 1896 and 1904. His creations rivaled those of Alphonse Mucha and were commissioned by Belgian, Dutch, and Parisian firms. They have been exhibited in Brussels, Paris, London, Saint Petersburg, and Haarlem.

Alongside his work as a poster artist, Privat Livemont created large decorative paintings, ceramic panels, and stained glass windows. He also taught decorative composition and flower painting at the Industrial School.

Why is this book essential?
This work by Benoît Schoonbroodt, published in 2007 by Éditions Racine Lannoo, is one of the most comprehensive monographs on this major Belgian Art Nouveau artist. It explores in depth the dialogue between tradition and modernity in the work of Privat Livemont, through his iconic posters, his decorative designs, and his influence on the graphic design of the Belle Époque.

Ideal for lovers of Belgian Art Nouveau, poster collectors, art history enthusiasts, bibliophiles, and students of decorative arts.

Additional photos are available in the top left corner of the listing. Feel free to check them out! — Click on one to see a larger, close-up view!

Want to pay in euros? Before placing your order, click the orange word “French” located just below the main product photo. This instantly switches the page to the French version with prices in €.