Georges Goursat Known As Sem (1863-1934), Lithograph "the Man With The Umbrella", Signed, Circa 1910

Framed painting under glass, lithograph depicting the man with an umbrella "in the woods, at the Ritz, on the boulevard and at the premieres", signed SEM pseudonym of Georges Goursat.Early 20th century, around 1910Sem, pseudonym of Georges Goursat (1863-1934) was a poster artist, caricaturist and society columnist, inseparable from Deauville. He frequented the resort from 1912, at the invitation of Eugène Cornuché, who had previously entrusted him, in Paris, with the visual identity of the Maxim's restaurant.From 1909, following the publication of his first album, Sem became the caricaturist who counted. A reputation that would be consolidated by the creation and publication, in limited series, of around twenty albums. Being caricatured by Sem became from 1910 a criterion of success and celebrity. In the tradition of Toulouse Lautrec and Jules Chéret, close in style to Cappiello, Sem joined them in the field of posters and advertising illustration. A member of the Salon des Humoristes, he worked as a press cartoonist for Le Figaro, Le Rire and Le Cri de Paris. Prior to the publication of his highly anticipated albums, which have now become collector's items, his caricatures were also reproduced in L'Illustration. Well-connected to high society, Sem accompanied them on their summer migrations to Paris, Deauville and Monte-Carlo. He sketched their most famous figures in cafes and theaters, the casino, the beach and the races. His stays, first in Trouville-sur-Mer, then in Deauville, from 1912 inspired several albums: Sem à la mer (1912), Tangoville-sur-Mer (1913), Le vrai et le faux chic (1914), Le grand Monde à l'envers (1919), Deauville by Sem (1920). It was in Deauville that he spent his last summer, in 1934.