James Wedge’s Painted Ladies

19 magazine, Inspirational Images, james wedge, toulouse lautrec

I took a gamble on a copy of James Wedge’s Painted Ladies book. Produced in 1988, it is ostensibly a guide to how Wedge created many of his best images using some extraordinary hand-colouring techniques and bizarre manipulation.

The glorious side-effect is that it is also filled with these lush images. Many of which I haven’t seen before, and some of which were always a bugger to try to scan in from a weirdly sized copy of 19 magazine, or somesuch. I’m sure, over time, I will post more. But I thought I would give you a little taster in this amazing Victorian-themed shoot for 19. Unfortunately, the book isn’t great about giving dates so if anyone knows the issue then please let me know.

I can’t even begin to tell you how bored I am with the whole burlesque/pin-up hoo-ha these days. I’m sure some people do it brilliantly, in fact I know they do, but it’s all become so mainstream and yawnworthy. I can’t really see how jiggling your boobs around in feathers and tassles is particularly superior to jiggling your boobs around a pole, as I’m constantly being told. A stripper is a stripper; a glamour model is a glamour model. But maybe I’m just a cynic? People can do whatever the hell they like and, so long as they’re not hurting anyone, I really couldn’t care less. I just wish it wasn’t everywhere, and that it didn’t seem to automatically correlate with interestingness.

So many times I’ve gone to post amazing pin-up-style photoshoots from the likes of Nova or the Telegraph Magazine, but it’s all so commonplace these days I simply can’t be bothered. However, I don’t need any excuse to post delicious early-Seventies photos by James Wedge, inspired by Toulouse Lautrec. Who happens to be one of my favourite artists and biggest inspirations, and whose grubby, ramshackle, louche ladies are a darn sight more interesting than most of what we’re presented with these days.

James Wedge really does deserve some kind of retrospective exhibition and big glossy book. Would somebody please sort this out some time soon? Please? Thank you….

p.s If you have an issue with nipples, then you might want to avert your eyes and come back tomorrow. I happen to be fascinated by nipples and particularly what James Wedge seems to do with them…




9 thoughts on “James Wedge’s Painted Ladies”

  4. Unknown's avatar

    Totally agree that burlesque has been done to death. There are some lovely images, but it all just gets a bit same same. Or perhaps I am just jealous because they all seem to sport perfectly rolled vintage hairstyles, and I am a lazy slob with a head full of frizz.

  6. Unknown's avatar

    Penny: well then I could claim the same jealousy. I can't make my hair do that kind of thing either!!Smashingbird: Hurrah! Indeed, more proper sauce and nipples, unfettered by pasties and tassles…Laura: Please, please DO do that book. I think Mr Wedge might be a bit reclusive, but it's got to be worth pursuing! The book is available on eBay pretty dirt cheap.

  7. Unknown's avatar

    I love those images. It's got a real carnivalesque kind of feel to it, beautiful! love that kind of louche victoriana feel.I have a soft spot for the burlesque thing, plus I've only recently figured out how to put my hair in rolls, but I know what you mean about it being EVERYWHERE recently. I'm getting a bit tired of the "cheesecake" side of it, I like my burlesque a bit darker and funnier.

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