The Maitre de l''affiche posters were a collection sent to poster aficionados and subscribers just before the turn of the last century (roughly 1896-1900). THIS IS AN ORIGINAL POSTER AND NOT A REPRODUCTION. IT IS PART OF THE COLLECTION OF THE MAITRE DE L''AFFICHE AND IS EMBOSSED WITH THE SEAL OF THE MAITRE. By the 1890s the streets of every great metropolis were enlivened by large colourful posters . The poster had not only caught the fancy of the broad public, but its best examples were already being regarded as works of art (specifically, as fine prints) to be exhibited, reviewed in journals, collected and reprinted in a manageable form. In the last five years of the century, the Imprimerie Chaix was to play great part in codifying, hallowing and perpetuating the ebullient period of ''La Belle Epoque.'' It was in those years that the firm published ''Les Maitres de l''Affiche'' (Masters of the Poster) reduced lithographic versions, in authentic colours, of the best posters of Europe and America, by more than 90 great artists, posters that bring the period to life.'' Appelbaum ARTIST : Paul Crespin (Belgian 1859-1944) ''Crespin prepared this famous poster for his good friend the Art Nouveau architect Paul Hanker (1859-1901). Hanker is shown plying his craft in his studio at 63 rue de Facqz. Fully absorbed in the act of creating, he stands in a relaxed pose, his slippered feet quaintly crossed, lazy curl of smoke rising from his cigarette. The tools of Hankar''s profession, T-squares, ruler, plumb line, become decorative framing elements. The elegant honeycomb of hexagons serves as a literal and figurative support for the architect''s beige silhouette. The bees allude, no doubt, to Hankar''s prodigious output. This poster was acclaimed in 1897 by the French art critic and poster artist Alexandre Demeure de Beaumont to be ''perfect'' and ''among the best, if not the best of Crespin.'' The watercolour preparatory work is preserved at the Musee d''Ixelles in Brussels''(Brussels, p.72) Piece measures 8.5 x 11.5 unframed, framed size is 15 x 18. cf07/$1100 (RARE) Status: For Sale Reference#: CF07 Condition: A Year: 1897 Country: France Height: 11.5 in. (29.21 cm) Width: 8.5 in. (21.59 cm) Title: Paul Hankar Architecte - Maitre de L''Affiche Materials: paper

Art (paintings, prints, frames)
Vintage Posters