Maîtres de l’Affiche

A hand-painted replica of Jules Chéret’s masterpiece Maîtres de l’Affiche, meticulously crafted by professional artists to capture the true essence of the original. Each piece is created with museum-quality canvas and rare mineral pigments, carefully painted by experienced artists with delicate brushstrokes and rich, layered colors to perfectly recreate the texture of the original artwork. Unlike machine-printed reproductions, this hand-painted version brings the painting to life, infused with the artist’s emotions and skill in every stroke. Whether for personal collection or home decoration, it instantly elevates the artistic atmosphere of any space.

"Maîtres de l’Affiche" is not a single artwork but rather a celebrated series of lithographic prints created under the direction of Jules Chéret, a French artist often referred to as the "father of the modern poster." Published between 1895 and 1900, this collection showcased the work of leading poster artists of the Belle Époque period. The series was issued as a subscription-based publication, with each subscriber receiving four lithographs per month. In total, the collection included 256 plates, along with 16 bonus plates, making it a significant anthology of late 19th-century poster art.

Jules Chéret, a pioneer in the field of color lithography, curated the series to highlight the artistic and commercial potential of posters, which had become a popular medium for advertising and public art during the late 19th century. The title "Maîtres de l’Affiche" translates to "Masters of the Poster," reflecting the high regard for the artists whose works were included. The series featured reduced-size reproductions of iconic posters by renowned artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Alphonse Mucha, Théophile Steinlen, and Chéret himself. These posters originally advertised a wide range of products, events, and performances, from cabaret shows to consumer goods.

The lithographs in "Maîtres de l’Affiche" were printed on high-quality paper and were intended to be collectible items, appealing to art enthusiasts and the general public alike. The series played a significant role in elevating the status of posters from mere commercial advertisements to recognized works of art. It also contributed to the spread of Art Nouveau, a decorative art style characterized by flowing lines, organic forms, and intricate details, which was prominent during the period.

Each plate in the series was marked with a distinctive blind stamp, ensuring its authenticity. Today, the prints from "Maîtres de l’Affiche" are highly sought after by collectors and are considered valuable examples of graphic design and printmaking from the Belle Époque era. The series remains an important historical record of the artistic and cultural trends of late 19th-century Europe.