Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Armand Rassenfosse
1896 original lithography by Armand Rassenfosse Salon des cent

1896

About the Item

In the heart of 19th-century Paris, the art scene flourished with an unparalleled vibrancy, attracting connoisseurs and creators from around the globe. One pivotal event that captured this artistic fervor was the Salon des Cent, an exhibition renowned for showcasing original drawings and prints. Among the standout pieces promoting this event was a lithograph by the acclaimed Belgian artist Armand Rassenfosse, numbered 29 out of a limited edition of 50 and signed by the artist himself. This lithograph, created for the "Exposition de Dessins Originaux et d'Estampes" held at the Hall de la Revue "La Plume" at 31 Rue Bonaparte, Paris, is a masterful example of Art Nouveau design. The poster's central figure, a nude woman holding a diminutive fairy-like figure on her hand, immediately draws the viewer's eye. This juxtaposition of the ethereal and the corporeal symbolizes the transformative power of art, a common theme in Rassenfosse's work. The use of warm, earthy tones and fluid lines in the lithograph exemplifies the Art Nouveau style, which sought to harmonize artistic creativity with the natural world. The absence of text, characteristic of a "before the letter" print, allows the viewer to focus entirely on the intricate details and the emotional resonance of the artwork. The fact that this piece is hand-signed and part of a limited edition adds to its rarity and value, making it a coveted collector's item. The Salon des Cent, held from November 9 to the end of December 1896, was a significant cultural moment, inviting the public to immerse themselves in the world of original art and prints. Fridays were reserved as special viewing days with an entry fee of one franc, while other days offered access for fifty centimes, making art accessible to a broader audience. Rassenfosse’s lithograph for this exhibition highlights his skill not just as an artist, but as a visual communicator adept at capturing the essence of an event in a single image. His work is a testament to the enduring appeal of Art Nouveau and its impact on poster art as a medium. Today, this lithograph is more than a promotional piece; it is a window into the artistic culture of late 19th-century Paris. It stands as a historical artifact that offers insight into the era’s aesthetic values and the vibrant art community that characterized the time. In the annals of art history, Armand Rassenfosse's lithograph for the Salon des Cent, especially a hand-signed limited edition, remains a celebrated piece, illustrating the power of visual art to capture and convey the essence of an artistic movement. Its legacy continues to inspire appreciation for the convergence of art and life during a pivotal moment in cultural history. Exhibition - Literature - France Hall of the magazine "La plume" - Before the letter, numbered 29 out of 50 and signed by hand
  • Creator:
    Armand Rassenfosse (1862 - 1934, Belgian)
  • Creation Year:
    1896
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 22.05 in (56 cm)Width: 29.53 in (75 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Good condition, slight creases.
  • Gallery Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1792214724152

More From This Seller

View All
Cycles Peugeot Valentigney ( Doubs ) Circa 1900 - Original Poster - Art Nouveau
Located in PARIS, FR
Very beautiful poster of Thelem (Ernest BARTHÉLEMY LEM, 1869-1930) for the Peugeot cycles. The Peugeot family began its rise to industrial power with the discovery of iron in the Do...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Linen, Paper, Lithograph

John Hassall A night out Circa 1900 Original Poster Theatre United Kingdom
By John Hassall
Located in PARIS, FR
Nice poster of the beginning of the century for the Vaudeville theater, entitled A night out and printed by David Allen & sons in London. John Hassall ( 1...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Linen, Paper, Lithograph

1897 original poster by Henry Thiriet for Pierrefort Estampes et affiches
Located in PARIS, FR
The 1897 original exhibition poster by Henry Thiriet for Pierrefort Estampes et affiches is a beautiful example of late 19th-century French graphic design. Created to promote an exhi...
Category

1890s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper, Linen

1896 Original poster - Les Maîtres de l'affiche Pl. 38 - La revue Blanche
By Pierre Bonnard
Located in PARIS, FR
Pierre Bonnard's "La revue Blanche" poster, created in 1896, is considered a masterpiece of poster art. It is part of the "Maîtres de l'Affiche" collection, edited by Jules Chéret, a...
Category

1890s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Circa 1900 original poster by Demeure de Beaumont, titled "L'Affiche Belge"
Located in PARIS, FR
The circa 1900 original poster by Demeure de Beaumont, titled "L'Affiche Belge", is an elegant and artistic advertisement promoting an upcoming publication dedicated to Belgian poste...
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper, Linen

Circa 1900 original lithograph by Mary Golay titled Le Paon (The Peacock)
By Mary Golay
Located in PARIS, FR
Around 1900, Swiss artist Mary Golay created a stunning lithograph titled Le Paon (The Peacock), a vivid example of Art Nouveau's fascination with nature, beauty, and flowing organic...
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

You May Also Like

Jules Cheret "Palais de Glace Champ Elysees" Lithograph
By Jules Chéret
Located in Astoria, NY
Jules Cheret (French, 1836-1932), "Palais de Glace Champ Elysees", Lithograph in Colors, circa 1895, signed "Cheret" in plate lower right, printed by Chaix (Ateliers Cheret) marked v...
Category

Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Les Roses
By Georges Henri Privat-Livemont
Located in BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FR
La composition de cette lithographie représente 3 roses vues en gros plan sur un fond de paysage bucolique, mêlant un parterre de fleurs blanches et, au second plan, quelques silhoue...
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Harper's March (Plate 20)
By Edward Penfield
Located in Greenwich, CT
Harper's March (Plate 20) is an 1886 lithograph of Edward Penfield's poster, printed at Imprimerie Chaix by Jules Chéret and included in the famed collection of Belle Époque posters...
Category

Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Grassot Punch (Plate 5)
By Jules Chéret
Located in Greenwich, CT
Grassot Punch (Plate 5) is an 1896 lithograph of Jules Chéret's poster, printed at Imprimerie Chaix by Jules Chéret and included in the famed collection of Belle Époque posters 'Les ...
Category

1890s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Alcazar d'Eté, Lidia (Plate 25)
By Jules Chéret
Located in Greenwich, CT
Alcazar d'Eté, Lidia (Plate 25) is an 1886 lithograph of Jules Chéret's poster, printed at Imprimerie Chaix by Jules Chéret and included in the famed collection of Belle Époque poste...
Category

1890s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Exhibition of the Rose (Plate 74)
By Carlos Schwabe
Located in Greenwich, CT
Exhibition of the Rose (Plate 74) is an 1887 lithograph of Carlos Schwabe's poster, printed at Imprimerie Chaix by Jules Chéret and included in the fame...
Category

1890s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Recently Viewed

View All