▻ The Mouton Rothschild Labels: Originally published Dec 2021
▴ Photo credit M Anglada
In conversation with Jane Anson
Episode Summary:-
Château Mouton Rothschild have just unveiled their new label for the 2019 vintage. Olafur Eliasson, the Danish-Icelandic artist, has created the original artwork, “Solar Iris of Mouton,” and now joins a long line of illustrious artists whose works have adorned the labels of Mouton Rothschild, including Picasso, Francis Bacon, Dali, Jeff Koons and the Prince of Wales. In this episode, Jane Anson interviews Sarah Kemp to reveal the stories behind the labels. Sarah, who had always been fascinated by the artists’ label series, went to Bordeaux to meet Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild when writing an article for the World of Fine Wine magazine. Jane talks to her about the stories she uncovered when talking to the family about the wine world’s most famous art.
Sarah explains how the first label by Jean Carlu was commissioned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1924, to celebrate the first estate bottling. The wine trade was not impressed, and no further labels appeared until 1945, when a label was commissioned from Philippe Jullian to celebrate peace at the end of World War Two. After that, friends of the Baron were commissioned each year, but one day the Baron received a phone call from Georges Braque, who was not only a celebrated artist but a wine lover, and he offered to create the artwork for the 1955 label. Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild explained to Sarah that until then it was simply friends of his grandfather who created the artworks, as he would never consider contacting a well-known artist (though his friends included Jean Cocteau, who did the 1947 label).
Philippe de Rothschild’s daughter Philippine later took over the decision on which artist should be approached. Sarah tells the story of how when her father was ill, she set off through the jungle in Mexico to track down the film director John Huston, who was filming “Under the Volcano” with Albert Finney, as her father wanted Huston, an old friend, to create the artwork for the 1982 label. Philippine believed that the artists should reflect Mouton Rothschild’s new status as a first growth, so she personally sought out the world’s greatest artists, including a reluctant Francis Bacon. Sarah tells the story of how she turned up at this house in London and charmed him into agreeing while accompanying him to Harrods to buy socks.
Sarah also talks about the stories behind some of the other labels, including the controversial Balthus label, which was not allowed in the US market, and how Max Ernst’s effort was rejected and the commission was given to his wife Dorothea Tanning instead. Sarah and Jane then discuss their favourite labels.
““It is as important to the art world as it is to the wine world who appears on that label.””
Running Order:-
-
0.00 – 10.58
“ It is hard enough to make great wine each year and then to find the artists!”
– How Sarah came to write the article about the labels.
– The museum with the labels at Château Mouton Rothschild.
– Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s first label by Jean Carlu and how the label series started. -
10.59 – 30.30
“ Philippine thought that the artist should reflect the glory of a first growth.”
– Philippine de Rothschild travels to the jungle to persuade John Huston to provide a label.
– Philippine de Rothschild and Francis Bacon.
– The controversial Balthus label.
– How the artists are chosen.
– How the artists are paid.
– Sarah and Jane’s favourite labels.
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▴ Château Mouton Rothschild 2019 label, Olafur Eliasson, Camille Sereys de Rothschild, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild , Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild.
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