La Revue Blanche – Lautrec – 1895

Toulouse-Lautrec was one of the most celebrated artists of the late 19th century. In 1895 he was commissioned by “La Revue Blanche”, the successful French art and literary journal, to design their annual poster. The magazine ran between 1889 and 1903. The model on the poster was Misia Natanson, the wife of one of the founders of the Revue Blanche and the darling of Paris’ avant-garde intellectuals, writers, and artists. By all accounts she was known as a brilliant, charming and beautiful woman and a source of inspiration for Pierre Bonnard, Jacques Villon and Felix Vallotton among others. Both Bonnard and Toulouse-Lautrec were asked to design a poster promoting the magazine and they both chose Misia as their subject. On the Lautrec poster he captures Misia skating. An original copy of this poster sold for £35,000.

Jules Cheret considered the poster to be of a high enough quality to reprint it as a poster and include it in his Maitres d’Affiches series as Plate 82. This plate is from the Maitres de l’Affiche (Masters of the Poster) collection one of 256 color lithographic plates delivered to monthly subscribers in sets of four beginning in 1895 and continuing through 1900. The collection was reproduced from the original posters of ninety-seven artists in a smaller 15 3/4 x 11 3/8 inch (40 x 29 cm) format. The individual plates were issued as separate numbered sheet, with the printer’s name, “Imprimerie Chaix,” in the margin at the bottom left hand corner.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a print and frame for a great price.