Kings and Princes and Genies, oh my!

solh

صلح

(Peace in Farsi)

8/6/11 Hiroshima Peace memorial Park,

66th Anniversary of bombing.

photo credit- Koji Sasahara

Just a little note:

Farsi is considered a 'Persian' language, and is spoken in

Iran

Iraq

Afghanistan

Pakistan

Azerbaijan

Of those 5 countries, I have readers from Iraq and Pakistan.

Thanks readers!

c.1920

I thought I would share with you today a follow up to the previous 'Aladdin' blog.

There are many books, paintings and photos to have fun with!

I have many many song sheet covers (thank you Indiana University Music)

with just super vintage graphics!

 c.1921 by Alberto Vargas

vintage Moroccan dancing girl postcard 

Let's explore some of the costumes.

Sometimes it is hard to tell if the costume is authentic,

or fanciful.

or perhaps a mix of both?

a painting for Scheherazade by Bakst 

c.1881 found at http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/

vintage from 'famous fairy tales'

'Arabian Nights' c.1912 by Rene Bull

Here we have some fun 'posed' photographs.

I would think these are mostly in the 'fanciful' arena!

I have added in some actresses, some dancers and some gypsy costumes.

It seems that sometimes the Aladdin type costumes were intertwined with the gypsy ones and modified for dance numbers.

Melle Tori, c.1898

Jeanne Ronsay, c. 1923

La Belle Otero, c.1920

 

famous Nijinsky in 'Scherherazade'

Nijinsky and Ida Rubinstein

Ruth St Denis, from the 1920's

and here are some wonderful song sheet vintage graphics:

c.1913

c.1916

c.1917

c.1921

(I find this woman really scary!!)

c.1921

Some more sheiks and sultans for you -

c.1918

from a musical production of 'Sinbad'

c.1919

c.1920

date unknown

Next up - 3 simple scherensnitte patterns

to finish - a magic lamp!



I have really enjoyed gathering these vintage graphics and photos for you about 'Aladdin'

and the fantasies that people have surrounded his story with.

I think I need to go and purchase a big silky scarf...

maybe a palm tree or two...

and of course, find my magic lamp!

:0)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

Arabian Nights

Salam

the second 'a' has a line above it

(  سلام )

PEACE in Arabic

cover for music album

Today I am in an Arabian Nights mood.

I can't say that without hearing Robin Williams

as 'Genie' in the Disney movie "Aladdin"

singing

'Arabian Niiiiiiiiihts'!

Disney's 'Jasmine' marble magnet by inkspired

www.inkspired.etsy.com

The story of Sheherazade telling her stories for the prince

night after night to avoid being killed has been a tale for ages.

It captured the romantic side of the Victorian Age

and crossed the ocean to America.

All things Arabian, Orientalism, Indian, Egyptian and exotic were pursued.

Whether factual or not!

vintage children's book

 It was a fanciful expression not allowed elsewhere.

The Victorian Age was a tight, limiting time on many aspects of regular life.

There were so many rules, and if high society didn't follow them,

they were cut off.

Remember, this is the time of the Language of Flowers to represent emotions that could not be said or expressed - except in flowers.

But,

decorating your home in an exotic way,

women wearing turbans instead of hats (but mostly at home parties)

songs about exotic places and people,

giving 'themed' parties and costume balls

and having that all-time necessity of a foreign servant.

At least one that looked and behaved as foreign!

Munshi Queen Victoria's aide

My focus today is not really on the history of Aladdin, but the wonderful

song sheets that are a part of the 'story', the 'myth'

and wonderful dances that could only be allowed because they were

'historical' in nature (at least explained that way).

The paintings, the costumes...

ah, Aladdin!

'The Enchanted Horse' by Frances Brundage, 1893 

America's Aladdin fancy continued for several decades,

and even in the 1970's we had the wonderful TV show

"I Dream of Jeannie".

You can still find reruns occasionally.

There are several movies with the same actors, and all have been available on DVD for some time.

'I Dream of Jeannie' movie publicity photo, Barbara Eden

Let's explore some vintage Song Sheet cover art!

'An Arabian Scout' c.1903

c.1915

c. 1900 - 1914

It seems foreign countries were rather blurred in the imagination of the public,

so similar images and themes may be labeled

'Egypt'

c.1917

 'Arab' or frequently 'Araby'

c.1919

'Sahara'

c.1908

'Hindu' (sometimes spelled 'Hindoo' or Hindustan)

c. unknown

c.1917

'Armenian'

c.1919

'Babylon'

c.1920

 'Siam'

c.1915

 and 'Morocco'

c. 1903

During this time, the Biblical story of John the Baptist, King Herod and Salome were frequently portrayed, as Salome was written as being quite beautiful.

Their thinking must have been something like this-

"Salome is set in old Israel, which is like almost Egypt,

so she must have danced Egyptian, which we all know

is belly dancing attire with middle section shown and veils.

Right?"

Those silly Aladdin lovers!

c.1908

c.1908

The theatre life was filled with shows about 'Cairo', 'Salome',

'Kismet', 'Aladdin', 'Cleopatra' and 'Sheiks of the Desert'.

Art Deco graphics

poster for 'Kismet'

1930's 'exotic' dancer

c.1920, a Parisian 'oriental' dancer

MGM's 1955 version of 'Kismet' with Dolores Gray and Howard Keel

c.1910, Ida Rubinstein as 'Scherherazade'

It looks like I am about to write a book, 

so I will close for today.

Look for more 'Aladdin' tomorrow!!!

:0)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

http://www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/

http://www.myinkspired.com/