Maitres De L'Affiche - Pl 222 L'Eclair

Maîtres de l'Affiche (Masters of the Poster) refers to 256 color lithographic plates used to create an art publication during the Belle Époque in Paris, France. The collection, reproduced from the original works of ninety-seven artists in a smaller 11 x 15-inch format, was put together by Jules Chéret, the father of poster art and distributed between 1895 – 1900. The varied selection of prints was sold in packages of four and delivered monthly to subscribers. Designed for a subscription audience, the publication showcased the most influential posters of the era in a collectible small format.

Founded in October 1888, L’éclair Journal Politique Independant was an independent French newspaper which focused on political press. This poster by Henry Atwell Thomas for the political publication was the winner out of 500 other submissions in one of the most successful poster competitions for the newspaper. In the image, we see an elegant woman, decorated in frill and flora, reading a L’Eclair newspaper. The background is bright and yellow, bursting out to the viewer to grab the newest edition.

Henry Atwell Thomas (1834-1904) was an American painter, printer and poster artist. Thomas owned a printing press based in New York named HA Thomas & Wylie Lithographer which specialized in chromolithography, American history prints and show posters. He was titled the official portrait illustrator of musical scores for the American Academy of Music in 1886. Later, in 1897, Thomas gained international recognition for his publication in Jules Cheret’s Maitres De l’Affiche.

This is an Original Vintage Poster, not a reproduction. This poster is on heavyweight paper and is in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.