Willette’s poster for the pantomime “L’Enfant Prodigue” (the return of the Prodigal Child) for the music publisher Biardot. “His drawings abound in subtle humorous touches, revealing an artist with a keen eye and a sure grasp of design” (Gold p.146)
‘Les Maîtres de l’Affiche’ (The Masters of the Poster) published in 1895 – 1900, is one of the most prestigious and influential art publications in history. It features the most outstanding advertising posters of the 19th century.
During the 19th century the poster celebrated its ‘golden era.’ Under the hands of Chéret, Toulouse Lautrec, Mucha and Steinlen, the poster attained new-found status as an innovative art form, allowing mass distribution of an artist’s distinctive imagery. By the 1890’s the streets of every great metropolis were enlivened by larger, colourful posters. The poster had not only caught the eye of the general public, but its best examples were already being regarded as works of art there were to be exhibited, reviewed in journals and collected. In 1895, the Imprimerie Chaix firm published reduced chromolithographic versions of over 200 top posters by more than 90 great artists. This Chaix publication ‘Les Maîtres de l’Affiche,’ was issued as separate numbered lithographs, every month for 60 months from 1895 to 1900. Of the 97 artists represented most were prominent painters of the day.
In this original complete collection each lithograph features an embossed seal marking its authenticity.
