- FRANCE -
France, like the rest of Europe, did not escape from the German influence. Publishers were mostly found in Alsace and Lorraine, and most of them used the original German designs as models for their work. Damour and Gangel, in Metz, and, particularly, “L’Imagerie Pellerin,” in Epinal (which became famous across the world), decided to embark on the adventure of paper theatres.
In 1796, Jean Charles Pellerin had set up the “Imagerie d’Epinal” and popularised printed images of everyday scenes. However, Pellerin’s sheets, like the rest of his products, were intended to be cut out and glued on to cardstock; they were not meant to be used for performing plays.
New publishers emerged in Epinal in the 19th century, including Charles Pinot and his “Nouvelle Imagerie d’Epinal.” In 1860 he designed the first French toy theatre proscenium, based on the Paris Opera Theatre, although he never published it. The emergence of this new company resulted in a veritable war in the production of images, a battle that was eventually won by the very famous “Imagerie Pellerin d’Epinal”. This publishing house ended up becoming the leading French firm in the field and in 1888 it bought out all of Pinot’s stock.
In 1896, with the new century closing in and the Paris “Exposition Universelle” just around the corner, Pellerin published Pinot’s theatre design under the name “Grand Théâtre Nouveau,” and he produced a series of accompanying sceneries that were the cause of admiration due to the use of gold in the sumptuous decorations. The success of this magnificent theatre extended until 1906, and up to 26 different backdrops and riggings were produced, although Pellerin never printed texts to complete his repertoire.
THÉÂTRE FRANÇAIS |
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THÉÂTRE FRANÇAIS
Cutted and pasted on board, comes from the "Nouvelle d'Epinal Imaginerie" stampede custom images, scenery and characters. The scenery and character are attributable to another lower publisher, Gangel Metz.
Editor: Proscenio, Charles Pinot. Character and decorations, Gangel.
Year: 1866
Provenance: Epinal, France
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THÉÀTRE D´OMBRES
Small chinese shadow theater that was sold with figures to move through rods or wires behind the small screen paper plant where he placed a candle for projecting the shadows.
The characters belong to the Comedia del Arte: Polichinelle, Pierrot, Colombina.
Editor: N.K Atlas
Year: 1900
Provenance: Paris, France.
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