A Life of Design and Illustration
Manuel Orazi was an Italian artist born in Rome who spent much of his life in France. His diverse career spanned many disciplines, including work as a painter, illustrator, designer, graphic artist, and jewelry designer. He also served as a set creator for both theater and film. His professional life was marked by a wide range of creative endeavors, from designing jewelry for the Maison de l'Art Nouveau and Maison Arnould to creating posters for Loie Fuller's theater at the Universal Exposition in Paris.
His illustrative work was extensive, contributing to various publications such as L'Assiette au Beurre, Femina, Scribner's Magazine, Je sais tout, and Les Maîtres de l'Affiche. Orazi's graphic contributions included the Calendrier Magique, an occult-themed calendar created in collaboration with Austin de Croze, and several book illustrations for authors like Jean Lorrain, Gaston Leroux, and Oscar Wilde. In the realm of cinema, he designed the sets and costumes for the silent film L'Atlantide in 1921.
Notable Works and Artistic Contributions
Throughout his career, Orazi produced a variety of significant works across different media. His catalog includes:
His design work extended into the decorative arts, where he produced jewelry designs sold at La Maison Moderne and created a well-known poster and catalog cover for the same establishment. His ability to move between the fine arts and commercial design allowed him to leave a mark on various cultural sectors in Paris and beyond.
