1907 Manon Sculpture Laoust Salon Art Postcard (RPPC)
About This Vintage Postcard
The delicate beauty of early 20th-century French sculpture is captured in this striking monochrome postcard featuring "Manon," a bust by the celebrated artist André-Louis-Adolphe Laoust. Exhibited at the prestigious Paris Salon of 1906, the work depicts the tragic heroine of Abbé Prévost's 1731 novel, Manon Lescaut, a favorite subject in French art and opera. Laoust's interpretation highlights the youthful charm of the character, with her head playfully tilted and her hair cascading in intricate, flowing curls. The soft lighting and deep black background of the postcard emphasize the smooth texture of the sculpture and the detailed rose corsage at her bodice. This card serves as a high-quality visual record of the academic style that dominated the Parisian art world during the Belle Époque, where classical skill was used to bring literary figures to life.
Details
Era: Divided Back (1907)
City: Paris (Exhibition Location)
State or Region: Île-de-France
Country: France
Topic: André Laoust Sculpture, Paris Salon 1906, Manon Lescaut, French Fine Art, Belle Époque Statuary
Condition: Writing on the back (Sent as gift)
Postage: None
Address Side: Divided Back
Orientation: Vertical (Portrait)
Artist / Photographer: André-Louis-Adolphe Laoust (1843–1924)
Publisher: NPG (Neue Photographische Gesellschaft), Berlin
Printer: Neue Photographische Gesellschaft
Print Type: Bromide Real Photo
Additional Information
This postcard was produced by the Neue Photographische Gesellschaft (NPG) of Berlin, identified by the distinctive logo on the reverse. The manufacturing date is narrowed to 1907, shortly after the sculpture's 1906 Salon debut. The card features a multilingual back, including terms like "Levelező-Lap" and "Briefkaart," reflecting NPG's role as a major international exporter of art cards.
A poignant handwritten message addressed to "Dear Sis" describes a harsh turn of weather: "Cant write now my hands too cold winter just starting biggest snow storm of season." The sender mentions that "The rink failed and will not be open again until next week," likely referring to a local ice skating rink. This specific card is part of NPG's "Salon 1906" Serie 270, No. 2, showcasing their commitment to documenting the premier European art exhibitions of the early 20th century.
