The Complete “Masters of the Posters” (Maîtres de l’Affiche)
This definitive 1990 edition faithfully reproduces the entire Maîtres de l’Affiche collection, the legendary series of lithographic plates originally published in Paris between 1896 and 1900. Conceived by poster art pioneer Jules Chéret, the compilation immortalizes the golden age of Belle Époque advertising art, capturing the revolutionary graphic style that transformed urban landscapes into open-air galleries.
The volume brings together all 256 color plates that made the original series groundbreaking, featuring masterworks by Toulouse-Lautrec, Alphonse Mucha, Théophile Steinlen, Eugène Grasset, and Jules Chéret himself. These vibrant works showcase the birth of modern commercial art, from Lautrec’s provocative Moulin Rouge advertisements to Mucha’s sinuous Art Nouveau maidens and Steinlen’s socially charged cabaret scenes. Each poster reflects the period’s artistic innovations—bold silhouettes, experimental typography, and Japonisme influences that bridged fine art and mass communication.
The 1990 edition preserves the historical integrity of the collection while enhancing accessibility. High-quality reproductions maintain the richness of the original lithographs, accompanied by scholarly commentary that contextualizes the posters’ cultural significance. The book serves as both an art historical document and a visual feast, revealing how these ephemeral street advertisements became coveted collectibles that redefined graphic design.
More than a century after their creation, these works continue to influence visual culture. This complete edition offers art lovers, designers, and historians an unparalleled opportunity to experience the birth of modern poster art—a movement that turned city walls into canvases and commercial artists into celebrated masters.
