Alvaro Retana - Arte Suntuario - Mujeres Celebres Fantasias Escenias - 1941/1941

By Álvaro Retana Ramírez de Arellano (1890-1970) . Absolutely unique booklet with 25 signed costume designs for celebrated Spanish actresses and singers, including Raquel Meller. Original coloured ink drawings, some with gold paint, all signed. The album is dedicated to Retana's friend Luis with a signed personal message in front of the album. The booklet was made during his detention in Fort San Cristobal and was censored. Álvaro Retana was a versatile artist with an eventful life (see Wikipedia) . His work can be found in the Costume Museum in Madrid. Condition: good. The drawings are in very good condition. The hardcover is covered with floral silk fabric, which is splodgy and worn. Registered and insured shipping. Excerpt from his biography (by Isabelo Herros) : Retana Ramírez de Arellano, Álvaro. ps. Claudina Regnier. Batangas (Philippines) 26. VIII. 1890 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid) 10. II. 1970. Journalist, writer, composer and designer. Álvaro, son of the politician, diplomat and writer Wenceslao Retana, was born in 1890. In the 1920s and 1930s, he was an essential figure for the production of music-hall and cabaret shows, genres known in Spain as ‘revista’, because of his innovative ideas in creating costumes and costume designs, with his imaginative designs for the dancers and ‘vedettes’.