La Revue Blanche.

Wonderful Belle Epoch period Toulouse Lautrec lithograph.

This poster advertised the fortnightly La Revue Blanche the avant-garde artistic and literary periodical that was founded in Belgium in 1889 by the Natanson brothers who moved to Paris. It’s a portrait of Misa, wife of Thadee, one of the brothers and her rather unusual stance is explained by the fact that she is actually on skates.  They were among the first to recognise Toulouse-Lautrec’s unconventional genius, and freely published his drawings in the magazine. They also became friends socially, and the artist became a frequent participant in the intimate gatherings at the home of one of the brothers, Thadee Natanson, whose wife Misa enjoyed the company of stimulating intellectuals, artists, and writers. As one of the movers and shakers among the literary set, Misa was the most emancipated women of her generation. Toulouse-Lautrec, who could be mercilessly scathing, pays her homage with an entirely sympathetic portrayal.

Reference: Gold p.68

The series, Les Maitres de l’Affiche (The Masters of the Poster ) took five years to produce from 1895 to 1900.

It is one of the most prestigious and influential art publications in history. This series features the most outstanding posters of the late 19th century when the medium  was only used for commercial advertising.  During the 19th century the poster celebrated its golden era under the hands of famous artist such as, Cheret, Toulouse Lautrec, Mucha and Steinlen. They elevated the poster from a commercial medium to innovative art form. By  the 1890s, the streets of every great metropolis were enlivened  by large, colourful posters. The poster had not only caught the eye of the public, but it’s best examples were already being regarded as works of art, to be exhibited, reviewed in journals and collected.

In  1895, the Imprimerie Chaix firm published reduced chromo lithographic versions of over 200 the best posters of the period by more than 90 great artists. This Chaix publication Les Maitres de l’Affiche, was issued as separate numbered lithographs, every month for 60 months from 1895 to 1900.

Of the 97 artists represented all were prominent artists of the day.

Each lithograph was issued with an embossed seal at the lower right marking its authenticity.