L’Arriere-Main Hermès carré by Philippe Ledoux 1969 – RARE – Personal Collection
The lovely L’Arriere-Main Philippe Ledoux carré draws its inspiration from a painting by Théodore Géricault entitled Les Croupes, (The Hindquarters/Buttocks).
Théodore Géricault was a French Romantic Painter (1791-1824) from Rouen, France. His oil painting entitled Les Croupes, (The Hindquarters/Buttocks) provided the Inspiration for the 1969 Hermès carré, L’Arriere-Main by Philippe Ledoux
Most likely the studies for this painting found their inspiration at the Royal Stable, the Grande Écurie of Versailles, an impressive structure that could accommodate up to six hundred horses. Constructed during the 17th century under the watchful eye of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the Royal Stables have been home to the Equestrian Arts Academy (Académie du spectacle équestre) since 2003.
The Great Stables or Royal Stable, the Grande Écurie, at the Palace of VersaillesLes Croupes – close up
Les Croupes, which portrays twenty-four horses from behind is rather an unusual compositions as it features the hindquarters and not the heads of twenty-four horses in three neat rows. Surprisingly there is one defiant horse that stands out as it is turned around facing us, the audience. I cannot help but attribute lightness and humor to this rather unusual arrangement and composition.
Perhaps charmed by this as well was what inspired Philippe Ledoux to reproduce the Les Coupes as a drawing for his 1969, L’Arriere-Main, now highly sought-after design.
L’ARRIERE-MAIN HERMÈS SILK SCARF VINTAGE LEDOUX 1969 – AVAILABLE
Surprisingly Monsieur Ledoux omits the rebellious horse in his drawing but includes the same checkered blankets that are very often found in Géricault’s other paintings. Perhaps it will remain a mystery why Ledoux left the defiant horse out, but included the horse blankets, which undoubtedly link his design to the French master’s. With this the L’Arriere-Main Hermès carré features three rows but only twenty-three hindquarters and not the twenty-four from its original Inspiration.
L’ARRIERE-MAIN HERMES SCARF BY PHILIPPE LEDOUX 90 CM SILK TWILL 1969 – RARE – AVAILABLE
I am very fortunate not just to have such a dear friend, but also someone who graciously offered to share her perspective on this amazing artist, Philippe Ledoux, whom I call The Other Hermès Legend and two of his popular designs.
My friend Dee, a longtime fellow Hermes aficionado, is ready to share with us fascinating insights into two of the world’s most beloved Hermes designs, Ledoux’s Jumping and his Harnais de Cour.
Enjoy…
Ladi has written a very comprehensive and enjoyable blog on the artist Philippe Ledoux in which she mentions his sense of humor. I would like to share with you two ways I see evidence of this in his Hermes carre designs.
I am generally reluctant to make statements about what an artist thought or felt when he designed his work. Who of us really knows what was going on in the mind of an artist unless he has left us clear notes? So what I give you is my own fanciful reaction to what I see before me.
The first is Jumping which was first released 1971. Here we see what are cameo scenes of open jumping in the show ring. Six horses and their riders are jumping over challenging obstacles. We see the show bridle and the rosettes, so we know this is horse show ring jumping as say opposed to steeplechase or fox hunting. We can ‘feel’ the tension and concentration of horse and rider as they clear massive hurtles.
Jumping Hermes scarf – detail – SOLD
If we listen closely we can hear the rider click softly to his mount and hear words to steady and focus him. We can ‘hear’ the leather creak and the horse give a grunt of super effort. We can ‘see’ exactly where the high bar is. BUT in his playfulness, Ledoux has removed all the bars and the horses are jumping nothing! Just flying through the air! Yet any rider can see those rails and knows exactly the angles and heights.
Jumping Hermes carre – SOLD
Much like the Impressionists, Ledoux was evidently a believer in viewer participation! What fun!
Another example of him engaging the viewer is his 1977 Harnais de Cour.
Harnais de Cour en Patch scarf – (courtesy hermes.com)
Here we see a pair of the finest carriage horses no doubt from the royal stables in their best parade harness. You can see them with their necks flexed just so, putting pressure on the bit to be off.
You can see their alert ears flicked back showing just a bit of well-behaved impatience, giving a toss of their heads to make the harness jingle a bit. You can hear the metallic scrape of a hoof on the cobblestones. But wait! There are no horses there! Ledoux has tricked our eye into seeing them even though they aren’t there.
I have my own playful vision of the head of Hermes, M. Dumas dumping a pile of harnesses next to Ledoux’s drawing board and saying, “Illustrate that!” And Ledoux rising to the challenge and creating this magnificent scarf.
This is what I think of when Ladi refers to Ledoux’s sense of humor. No collection of Hermes carres for a horse lover would be complete without an example of each of these two carres.
What an insightful, fun and playful way of seeing such familiar designs. Thank you, Dee for your new and fresh perspective.
The artist, who signs his Hermes designs Rybal is the great nephew of Philippe Ledoux.
Les Cavaliers d’Or close up by Vladimir Rybaltchenko, 1975 – SOLD
Born as Vladimir Rybaltchenko, he is the father of another Hermes GREAT, Dimitri Rybaltchenko. Both son and father have designed some of the most popular and sought after Hermes carres.
Vladimir’s father was born in Kiev and left Russia shortly after the revolution. Educated as a bridge engineer, he worked for Renault and Citroen once he emigrated to France. It is said that he had a lovely singing voice and it was this talent that caught the ear of a young French aristocrat, Alice Ledoux.
Alice, the youngest and fourth child, was born and raised in England. Her three brothers were all accomplished. One is credited with translating works of Shakespeare, Dickens, Defoe, Poe and Tolkien into French. Another brother, Albert, was an ambassador. Her undoubtedly most famous brother, was Philippe. He was an artist and as we all know by now, worked for Hermès and has designed many fabulous scarves for the Fashion House. You can read more about Philippe Ledoux on my blog here.
Alice’s father, much younger than Vladimir, objected to the marriage, but the marriage took place nonetheless. That union produced three children, Boris, Vera and Vladimir. Vladimir became a sculptor and painter and like his great uncle, Philippe Ledoux, worked for Hermès. Vladimir died in 2002 leaving behind a legacy.
Vladimir Rybaltchenko was responsible for a number of very memorable scarves among them Cavaliers d’Or, possibly one the most popular designs of all.
Enjoy some of Monsieur Rybal’s creations…
Au Plus Dru HERMES Scarf (1998) – SOLD Cavaliers d’Or Hermes Scarf -(1975) – SOLDFleurs et Carlines Hermes scarf (1985) – SOLDLa Fontaine de Bartholdi Hermes silk scarf (1995) – SOLDLa Marine a Rames Hermes scarf was started by Philippe Ledoux and finished after his death in 1975 by his nephew Vladimir Rybaltchenko – SOLDNikkoHermes silk scarf (100% silk) – Vintage – GRAIL Designed by Vladimir Rybaltchenko in 1991/1995 – AVAILABLESiam Hermes silk scarf was designed by much sought after artist, Vladimir Rybaltchenko, AKA Rybal. This iconic carre was first issued in 1978 – SOLDDessins D’Orchidees Hermes Scarf from (1992) – SOLDBritish Heraldry Hermes Scarf 1981 – SOLDTutankhamun Hermes silk scarf was designed by Vladimir Rybaltchenko and first issued in 1976 – AVAILABLE
Presentation de Chevaux HERMES Silk Scarf by Philippe Ledoux, 1970
Anyone, who loves the Carre will have undoubtedly noticed the longstanding love affair Hermes has had with the horse. Many scarves have featured the horse throughout the carre’s introduction 1937. Whether a scarf features a single horse, such as the Frontaux et Cocardes, several horses, like our subject matter today or horse riding venues and paraphernalia, Hermes, to my knowledge, has produced over 250 equestrian themed scarves!
Frontaux et Cocardes VTG HERMES Paris Silk Scarf Lt Blue – SOLD
Grand Prix Polo de Bagatelle VTG HERMES Silk Scarf RARE – SOLD
Le Mors a la Conetable VTG HERMES Silk Scarf – SOLD
Although, the Fashion House is known today the world over for its timeless Luxury goods, its founder, Thierry Hermes started as a saddle and harness maker and so the love affair with the horse is began.
The Presentation de Chevaux is as the name suggests, a presentation of various horses to most likely their potential buyers.
Throughout history, the horse is used in war for speed and transportation and agriculture for strength and stamina. In the seventeenth century the horse undergoes a transformation from a utility animal to one where beauty and aesthetics begin to play an important role. As horses are being used in urban settings more and more to pull fancy carriages and coaches, the physical appearance of a horse becomes more and more important.
It is this new element that buyers now must consider as well, hence it is the prudent seller, who will present his horses “properly”.
Inspired, as are many other carres, by an artifact from Emile-Maurice Hermes‘ vast collection, the Presentation de Chevaux takes its inspiration (and name) from the painting by Peter Snayers a Dutch master, which hangs in the private museum just above the Mothership on 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
photo of page from Mito e Bellezza, Electa (September 7, 2010)
In a constant effort to improve your shopping experience, we are currently working on adding a feature, where you will be able to search our entire scarf collection by various artists.
Philippe Ledoux, a legend among the Hermes artists, has created some of the most beautiful and highly collected vintage Hermes carres; among them Promenades de Paris.
As an illustrator, he brought not only an impeccable attention to detail, but also an incredible gift to transform ordinary scenes and objects into something extraordinary.
In his Promenades de Paris, Ledoux takes us along on a stroll down four of the most famous promenades in Paris, the Tuileries, the Les Invalides, the Le Palais Royal and of course the Champs-Elysees.
Even today, Les Tuileries, is a favorite spot not just among tourists, but Parisians as well.
On my visits to Paris, I make sure I come here, whether it is to just relax and take in the beauty or to people watch, I know, I will not be disappointed.
On the other bank of the Seine, Ledoux takes us to the Les Invalides, a huge complex, originally built as a retirement home and hospital for veterans. Today it is made up of monuments and museums dedicated to France’s military history. Part of the complex is a church, its copula seen in the background, the burial site of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Palais Royal is right across the Louvre and opens with a grand entrance onto rue Saint-Honoré. The Hermes flagship store on 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré is an easy fifteen minute walk away.
After you have admired Leila Menchari’s famous windows and with both hands full of orange shopping bags, you stride down Rue Boissy d’Anglas until you run straight into Champs-Elysees, perhaps the most famous promenade of them all.
As always, merci Monsieur Ledoux for a fantastic stroll through your City, the City of Lights (and Hermes carres)
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