Original Vintage Poster 1897 Salon Des Cent Poster - Willette
Date: 1897
Size: 17 x 21.5
Notes: Poster, Linen Backed
Artist: Willette, Adolphe
Information: For more details, please call 514 656 3301
About The Poster: The Salon des Cent was an exhibition event that coccured regularly in Paris between 1894 and 1900. It showcased some of the Belle Epoque's best artists, such as Alphonse Mucha, Steinlen, Lautrec and Willette himself. It is noteworthy that the posters for the event are considered by and large to be some of the best poster designs of the period, as is evident by the numerous plates they occupy in the Maitres de l'affiche series. Like this last series, this poster was printed by Chaix in Paris, the print shop run by Jules Cheret who is considered to be the father of the modern poster.
According to Wikipedia: Willette was born in Chalons-sur-Marne. He studied for four years at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts under Cabanel, training which gave him a unique position among the graphic humorists of France. Whether comedy or tragedy, dainty triviality or political satire, his work is instinct with the profound sincerity of the artist. He set Pierrot upon a lofty pedestal among the imaginary heroes of France, and established Mimi Pinson, frail, lovable, and essentially good-hearted, in the affections of the nation. Willette is at once the modern Watteau of the pencil, and the exponent of sentiments that move the more emotional section of the public. Always a poet, and usually gay, fresh, and delicate, in his presentation of idylls exquisitely dainty and characteristically Gallic, illustrating the more 'charming' side of love, often pure and sometimes unnecessarily materialistic. Willette frequently reveals himself bitter and fierce, even ferocious, in his hatreds, being a violent though at the same time a generous partisan of political ideas, furiously compassionate with love and pity for the people whether they be ground down under the heel of political oppression, or are merely the victims ot unrequited love.
Poster is linen-backed and in very good condition.
