Saul Bass, 1959

Richard Blow, 1960

Mid Century Modern is hot today, as is MCM icon, Richard Blow.

In the 50s and 60s, Blow exhibited alongside Noguchi, Olivetti, Farina and other giants in the movement. He imbibed the ethos, and was influenced by the art/graphic trends of the moment. When he saw something visual he liked, he translated it into stone. He might spot it in an advertisement ,a painting in a museum, a drawing in a book, a photo in a magazine or newspaper. He was always looking around him for iinspiration for his next mosaic.

I recently stumbled across an article on Saul Bass (1920-1996), an American graphic designer and Mid-Century Modern icon celebrated for his movie titles and posters (not to mention the corporate logos he created for AT&T, United Airlines, and Klernex). Bass did the poster for Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960); as well as Hollywood box office hits like North by Northwest (1960), Exodus, (1960), Oceans Eleven (1960), and, late in life, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. (1990). Among Bass’ most famous work was a poster for Director Otto Preminger’s 1959 film “Anatomy of a Murder” (seven Academy Award nominations).

The Anatomy poster seemed oddly familiar to me. Why? Suddenly it hit me. I hopped on the computer, opened our Society Master Catalogue of 300 Blow mosaics, scrolled down to the “People” genre, and Ecco! - there it was.

“Bikini Bather.”

This Blow mosaic sold for $3,500 by Christie’s in London in 1960 — just one year after Bass’ Anatomy movie poster appeared. And we know Blow himself had a direct hand in creating this particular Montici mosaic. It is inscribed verso “MONTICI/FIRENZE '60/Richard Blow.”

Both bodies lay there in pieces, the same splayed fingers. same neck crook.

Is the similarity pure coincidence? Or was Blow’s Bikini directly inspired by Bass’ Anatomy? One future MCM icon borrowing from another? I go with the latter.

What say you? Use the Contact Page and tell us your thoughts.

.Michael Schmicker