The Allure of Men

by Baudot, Francois

• ISBN13: 9782843232152
• ISBN10: 2843232155
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Assouline

Summary

Masculine elegance, so flamboyant and colorful up until the end of the 18th century, became almost nonexistent in the 19th century. From the frock coats of Gainsborough's portraits to the city workers' two-piece suits, the structure of men's clothes evolved at a slow pace. But the language of this uniformity has subtly varied in its details, in the cut, proportion or materials of a piece of clothing. Though individually these different elements are almost imperceptible, each makes a vital contribution to the intangible notion of style. This book juxtaposes paintings and photographs of movie stars, politicians, artists, or lesser-known figures dating over almost two centuries, whose very different silhouettes, when placed alongside one another, encapsulate a certain idea of modern elegance and its concern with style.