I am so happy to be able to share photos of this wonderful lampshade my grandfather Pierre Ménager painted in 1945. I love the way the figures circle the shade, the rich colors -- even after so many years, and just the humor and élan of the piece. Many thanks to Pinky Werner (whose parents were good friends of my grandfather) for sending me these photos -- along with several others I plan on sharing here. Do click on the images for a larger view of the artwork.
You know, there's a part of me that really wishes this was one of those lamps that would mechanically turn slowly around and around. I remember seeing a pair of fabulous Hamms Beer lampshades in a bar that did just that. It was totally mesmerizing. And one would never have to agonize which side to put front!
Midori Snyder is the author of nine books for children and adults, published in English, French, Dutch, and Italian. She won the Mythopoeic Award for The Innamorati, a novel inspired by early Roman myth and the Italian "Commedia dell'Arte" tradition....
