The exuberant spirit of France’s Belle Époque comes to life in a colorful exhibition of lithographic posters.
Celebrating the inexhaustible energy of turn-of-the-century Paris, “L’Affichomania: The Passion for French Posters” features lithographic prints by the five grandmasters of the medium: Jules Chéret, the father of the modern poster; Eugène Grasset, who explored feminine beauty in rich, medieval settings; Alphonse Mucha, known for depicting sensuous women and the whiplash curves of their tresses; Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, creator of some of the best-loved images of the era; and finally Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who pointed the way to modernism.
These pioneering artists defined a never-before-seen and never forgotten art form: the color poster. “L’Affichomania” explores the achievements of these artists in concert with the poster’s role in French society, which includes its effect on the life of the Parisian street, the rise of advertising, the entertainment district of Montmartre, and the changing representations of women.
