The "Grand Poobah" of the Art Nouveau movement

Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is really how I view the elusive 'we don't know much about S. Bing' and what he did for the Art Nouveau movement. I thought it very interesting in the movie that they made the point to mention not much was known about him. Even more interesting is that tthere weren't very many photos of him. Funny, for a man who spent much time in the spotlight innovating and developing an art movement.

Mr. S. Bing developed a fascination for Japanese (Asian) art in the 1870's when Asia opened its borders to the West. Not only was he fascinated by the artwork, but he embraced the entire Japanese way of life and in turn, Japanese art had a very large impact on the Art Nouveau movement.

Artists like Gustav Klimt were inspired by the monthly journal published by Mr. Bing called Le Japon Artistique. In addition, a man by the name Van Gogh (you may have heard of him before, maybe?) would borrow some of the Japanese art in Bing's collection and that art lives on today in Van Gogh's works. I was really fascinated to see Van Gogh's interpretation of Bing's original works.

What I also find very interesting is that Mr. Bing himself wasn't really an artist, per say. Mr. Bing was in the business of imports and exports, mostly imports. He was a business man with an incredible vision and the ability to influence, foster and shape artists to also see his vision. A prime example of this is the collaboration of his gallery with Louis Comfort Tiffany (yes, this is where your 'Tiffany & Co. jewelry comes from ladies) and an architect named William Morris. Mr. Bing was able to mold the following artists at the beginning of their careers -  Louis Bonnier, Frank Brangwyn, and Edouard Vuillard, the designers Eugène Gaillard, Edward Colonna, William Benson, and Georges de Feure, and the sculptor Constantin Meunier.

I found this website very intersting... http://www.19thc-artworldwide.org/index.php/summer05/212-lost-and-found-s-bings-merchandising-of-japonisme-and-art-nouveau-

And Now... 

Examples of art created by other artists he brought together to create the Art Nouveau movement

Cover of S. Bing's Paris Illustre Japon from the late 1880's

Comparison of Japonisme and how it influenced Degas

The entry way to S. Bing's gallery L'Art Nouveau opened in Dec. 1895

The image on the left was owned by Mr. Bing and Mr. Van Gogh borrowed it to create the painting on the right

View of L'Art Nouveau circa late 1800's

A bedroom in L'Art Nouveau showcasing the works of Tiffany, Morris fabrics, Tiffany glassware, Rookwood Pottery