Date: 1914 (original, larger sized poster printed in 1914)
Size: 10.25 x 14 inches, image: 6.5 x 10.65 inches
Artist: Leopoldo Metlicovitz
About the artist: Leopoldo Metlicovitz became a painter and portrait artist without any formal training. He came to Milan in 1891 and joined the Ricordi printing house, quickly becoming it's technical director. He developed an original approach to light and shadow and became one of Italy's greatest poster artists, creating some of the most famous "Mele" designs (among others).
About this piece: This beautiful poster belongs to the Portfolio "Gli Avvisi delle Officine G. Ricordi e C. Milano" (The Advertisements of the G. Ricordi & Co. Graphics Works, Milan) a famous and rare collection published around 1914, inspired by the famous French publication Les Maîtres de l'Affiche. The complete collection contains 70 color lithographic plates (chromolithographs) in a reduced size format. It represents an extraordinary testament to the golden age of the Italian advertising poster and Art Nouveau (Liberty style) graphics, closely tied to the world of opera and the Ricordi music publishing house.
This poster was originally commissioned around 1910 to promote a novel alcohol-powered heating stove manufactured by the Distillerie Italiane Milano.
This poster is in good condition, with small holes in all four corners and minor wear (please see photos). Ready to frame!
