Peter Lippmann Gives An Art History Lesson: Christian Louboutin Fall 2011 Lookbook

At this point, it’s pretty much inarguable that a beautiful shoe can be considered a true work of art. Architecturally inspired arcs, impeccable craftsmanship and luxuriant materials can take designing shoes from a mere trade to a level of superior artistry. Shoes possess the ability to be transformative – the exquisite pedestal upon which a woman stands - and in the same instance become something of an icon to be admired and idolized in their own right.

When photographer Peter Lippmann and Christian Louboutin reunited for the Louboutin F/W ’11 lookbook, it was clear that high art was on the brain. Louboutin shoes and evening bags share the spotlight with (or rather, outshine) female subjects in highly stylized photos that read more like Flemish paintings than photographs.

The signature red soles work their way into iconic art pieces in recreated works such as onto the lap of James Abbot McNeill Whistler’s “Whistler’s Mother” and in the fruit plate of “Saint Dorothy” by Francisco De Zurbaran. The candle of Georges de la Tour’s “Magdalene and the Flame” is moved atop the books to make way for the fur covered Puck boot and the frame is drawn back to reveal the Gold Spiked Platform Shoe and Catalina Sequined Clutch delicately balanced on the knees of “Elizabeth of Austria” by Francois Clouet.

Perhaps the most curious thing about this collage of old and new is how cohesively they blend together. This is obviously due in part to the talent of Lippmann, but one has the feeling it also says something about the timelessness of a shoe that is truly a work of art.

Text Tienlyn Jacobson
Source(s): Peter Lippmann, Christian Louboutin