Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Paul Iribe died in 1935; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2005.
In context
Lounger — Paul Iribe
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 52 at death.
Painted when the artist was 30. The artist lived to 52. 1 of the 3 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Paul Iribe (1883–1935) ▲ this work, 1913 every dated painting, decade by decade
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/paul-iribe-lounger-D5DPJS-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
White #e7e9e8
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 3 works by this artist, of which 1 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
Lounger — Paul Iribe
Paul Iribe is one of the pioneers of Art Deco. His designs for furniture, jewellery, fabrics, stage decoration and theatre costumes show the changed sense of style that replaced Art Nouveau from 1910 onwards and developed a new repertoire of forms. In Iribe’s view,furniture ought to reflect contemporary aesthetics. However, he rejected cubist forms or machine-made furniture.
Artist and museum
Born in Orthez, France
Paul Iribe, born on June 8th, 1883, in the picturesque town of Orthez, France, was a figure whose artistic journey intertwined with the glamour and shifting aesthetics of the early 20th century. He wasn’t merely an illustrator; he was a conjurer of style, a master of line who breathed life into the Art Deco movement and left an indelible mark on both the decorative arts and the world of fashion. His story is one of talent, transatlantic ambition, and a poignant romance with the iconic Coco Chanel.
Iribe’s early artistic training laid the foundation for his distinctive style. While details of his formal education remain somewhat elusive, it's clear he possessed an innate gift for draftsmanship and a keen eye for detail. He quickly gravitated towards illustration, finding success in Parisian publications before setting his sights on the burgeoning entertainment industry across the Atlantic. The allure of Hollywood in the 1920s – a city brimming with newfound wealth, cinematic dreams, and a hunger for sophisticated design – proved irresistible.
Arriving in California, Iribe didn’t seek to direct or produce; instead, he became the visual architect of glamour. He found work designing sets, costumes, and lavish backdrops for silent film productions. His influence wasn't about realism but about creating a heightened sense of luxury and fantasy. He collaborated with some of the biggest stars of the era, shaping their on-screen personas through meticulously crafted visuals. This period saw Iribe fully embrace the Art Deco aesthetic – characterized by geometric patterns, bold colors, streamlined forms, and exotic motifs. His work embodied the optimism and modernity that defined the Roaring Twenties.
Beyond film, Iribe’s talents extended to interior design and fashion illustration. He became known for his striking posters and magazine illustrations, often depicting elegant women adorned in luxurious clothing and jewelry. His style was instantly recognizable: a blend of classical elegance with a distinctly modern sensibility. The influence of artists like Aubrey Beardsley and the Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints can be seen in his flowing lines and decorative compositions. He wasn’t simply illustrating fashion; he was creating an aspirational lifestyle, one defined by sophistication, independence, and artistic flair.
The most celebrated chapter of Iribe's life began in 1931 with his passionate relationship with Coco Chanel. Chanel, already a revolutionary force in fashion, recognized Iribe’s exceptional talent and sought him out to collaborate on her designs. Their partnership was more than professional; it was a meeting of kindred spirits, both driven by a desire to redefine beauty and challenge conventional norms.
Iribe's influence on Chanel’s work during this period is undeniable. He designed the iconic Maltese Cross bracelet, which became a signature piece for the house of Chanel. He also contributed significantly to her jewelry designs, incorporating Byzantine and Oriental motifs that reflected his own artistic interests. More importantly, he helped Chanel translate her vision into tangible form, refining her aesthetic and solidifying her position as a leading figure in the fashion world.
Tragically, Paul Iribe’s life was cut short on September 21st, 1935, at the age of 52. His untimely death left Chanel devastated, and she reportedly wore mourning jewelry designed by him for the rest of her life.
Despite his relatively brief career, Paul Iribe’s impact continues to resonate today. He was a pivotal figure in popularizing Art Deco design, bridging the gap between fine art and commercial illustration. His work embodies the spirit of an era – a time of innovation, extravagance, and artistic experimentation.
Key Characteristics: Fluid lines, geometric patterns, exotic motifs, elegant compositions, Byzantine and Oriental influences.
Major Achievements: Pioneering Art Deco set and costume design in Hollywood; creation of the iconic Maltese Cross bracelet for Coco Chanel; influential fashion illustrations that defined the 1920s aesthetic.
Historical Significance: A key figure in the development of Art Deco style; a collaborator who helped shape Coco Chanel’s enduring legacy; an artist whose work continues to inspire designers and illustrators today.
Paul Iribe's story is a reminder that true artistry transcends mere technical skill. It’s about vision, passion, and the ability to capture the essence of an era – qualities he possessed in abundance. His legacy lives on not only through his surviving works but also through the enduring elegance and timeless style he helped create.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/paul-iribe-lounger-D5DPJS-en/
Look closely
Lounger — Paul Iribe
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
When "Lounger" was created in 1913, Paul Iribe - born in 1883 - was 30 years old.
"Lounger" is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas. The order can be placed on its Hand-Painted Reproduction page, with a choice of sizes.
Paul Iribe is also known as Paul Iribe (Full Name), Irube, P. Iribe.