What factors lead to the rise of the pictorial poster
What factors lead to the rise of the pictorial poster?
When looking at what factors lead to the rise of the pictorial poster, it is clear to see that the majority of them occurred in late nineteenth century Paris and that perhaps one man, Jules Chéret, can be thanked for exploiting and mastering the techniques which made these posters reach the levels of respect previously reserved for the fine arts. As well as Jules Chéret and his mastery of lithography I will be exploring the influence of Japan and their printing techniques upon Toulouse Lautrec as well as Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann’s renovation of Paris during its Second empire, the impacts of the rising middle class, and the effects that tax had upon the walls of Paris.
Arguably the most important Factor which contributed to the rise of the pictorial poster was the work and skill of Jules Chéret, known by many in Paris as “the king of the poster.” (Collins, 1985, p.49)
Bradford R. Collins states in his article “The Poster as Art; Jules Chéret and the struggle for Equality of the Art in late nineteenth century France” that at the start of Chéret’s career in the 1850’s the lithographic poster was the main promotional tool for the French economy. Starting as a lithographic apprentice, Chéret moved to London and was “established by the generosity of Monsieur Rimmel in his own printing works, his career was one of conquest. Everyone commissioned posters from him.” (Abdy, 1969, p.30)
During this time it is clear to see that Chéret’s style altered and improved, his colours are more radiant and compositions more effective. Bradford R.Collins further states that by focusing on popular entertainment posters, Chéret caught the eye of art critic and novelist Joris-Karl Huysmans who went on to mention Chéret in his influential Salon reviews of 1879 and 1880. “Chéret and the poster were thereby thrust into the sphere of high art.” (Collins, 1985, p.44)
In his 1879 Salon review, Huysmans praised a small amount of
When looking at what factors lead to the rise of the pictorial poster, it is clear to see that the majority of them occurred in late nineteenth century Paris and that perhaps one man, Jules Chéret, can be thanked for exploiting and mastering the techniques which made these posters reach the levels of respect previously reserved for the fine arts. As well as Jules Chéret and his mastery of lithography I will be exploring the influence of Japan and their printing techniques upon Toulouse Lautrec as well as Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann’s renovation of Paris during its Second empire, the impacts of the rising middle class, and the effects that tax had upon the walls of Paris.
Arguably the most important Factor which contributed to the rise of the pictorial poster was the work and skill of Jules Chéret, known by many in Paris as “the king of the poster.” (Collins, 1985, p.49)
Bradford R. Collins states in his article “The Poster as Art; Jules Chéret and the struggle for Equality of the Art in late nineteenth century France” that at the start of Chéret’s career in the 1850’s the lithographic poster was the main promotional tool for the French economy. Starting as a lithographic apprentice, Chéret moved to London and was “established by the generosity of Monsieur Rimmel in his own printing works, his career was one of conquest. Everyone commissioned posters from him.” (Abdy, 1969, p.30)
During this time it is clear to see that Chéret’s style altered and improved, his colours are more radiant and compositions more effective. Bradford R.Collins further states that by focusing on popular entertainment posters, Chéret caught the eye of art critic and novelist Joris-Karl Huysmans who went on to mention Chéret in his influential Salon reviews of 1879 and 1880. “Chéret and the poster were thereby thrust into the sphere of high art.” (Collins, 1985, p.44)
In his 1879 Salon review, Huysmans praised a small amount of
References: Abdy, J. (1969). The French poster: Chéret to Cappiello. London, Studio Vista. (Meggs, 1983, p.137) Barret, A Haussmann 's Architectural Paris - Architecture in the Era of Napoleon III - The Art History Archive Arthistoryarchive.com (2007) Haussmann 's Architectural Paris - Architecture in the Era of Napoleon III - The Art History Archive Toulouse Lautrec Biography - artelino Artelino.com (1864) Toulouse Lautrec Biography - artelino Cheret, Lautrec, Picasso, Mucha and Steinlen - Vintage Posters Yaneff.com (1890) Cheret, Lautrec, Picasso, Mucha and Steinlen - Vintage Posters Ibiblio.org (1901) WebMuseum: Toulouse-Lautrec, Henri de. [online] Available at: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/toulouse-lautrec/ [Accessed: 8 May 2013].