1974 Athena Poster
De Feure - Salomé
Reproduction of a 1900 colour lithograph advertising poster by Art Nouveau artist George Du Feure
Approximate Size 83 x 60 cm
Advertising a dance performance: Every Night at 10.00pm At The Comedie Parisienne On Rue Boudreau (Rue Auber near the Opera) The Loïe Fuller In Her New Creation Salomé. Originally printed by Imprimerie P. Lemenil.
The Comedie Parisienne was at Parisian performance hall, The Théâtre de l'Athénée, whose entrance is located at the Square l'Opéra-Louis-Jouvet, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. An Italian-style theatre classified as a historic monument in 1995
Marie Louise Fuller (1862-1928) became one of the first of many American modern dancers who travelled to Europe to seek recognition. Her warm reception in Paris persuaded Fuller to remain in France, where she became one of the leading revolutionaries in the arts. A regular performer at the Folies Bergère, Fuller became the embodiment of the Art Nouveau movement. Expanding her costume and lighting so that they became the principal element in her performance, perhaps eclipsing the actual choreography, especially as the length of the skirt was increased and became the central focus, while the body became mostly hidden within the depths of the fabric
Georges de Feure (real name Georges Joseph van Sluijters 1868 –1943) was a French painter, theatrical designer, and industrial art designer in the symbolism and Art Nouveau styles. Born in Paris to a Dutch father and Belgian mother, following a brief attendance at the Rijkscademie voor Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, he returned to Paris forsaking formal study to forge his own way. Influenced by Jules Chéret in his posters for the café concert he became the key designer of Siegfried Bing for L'Art Nouveau. His work appeared at the Exposition Universelle de Paris exhibition in 1900. He designed furniture, worked for newspapers, created theater designs for Le Chat Noir cabaret and posters. In August 1901, de Feure was nominated Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur for his contribution to the decorative arts. He died in poverty at the age of 75 years in Paris.
Original Athena Poster Not A Reprint. Athena Copyright Details In Bottom Left Hand Corner.
These posters have a glossy finish and play havoc photographing under fluorescent lights, done my best to show the quality of poster.
Poster in very good condition, see pictures. Has been stored rolled up since 1980. Any questions, please ask before making your purchase.
This poster was never designed to be anything more than temporary wall art at the time, usually taped or pinned to a wall. Never mounted or framed its great it is still around, so don't buy a modern copy, own an original.
Athena, a British art retailer and retail chain, was founded by Ole Christensen, his first shop first shop opening in Hampstead, London in July 1964. Bought by E&O, the Athena retail estate was expanded to 60 shops, continuing with the ethos of fine art reprints. The retail chain was sold off by E&O in 1977 to the Pentos Group and Athena went into administration in 1995. Some profitable stores were reopened by their former franchisees, the last of these, an outlet in Exeter, Devon ceased trading in 2014. Athena posters would have been ubiquitous on student walls during their time, with iconic posters such as Long Distance Kiss by Syd Brak, The Lord of the Rings by Jimmy Cauty and The Tennis Girl poster. Athena also produced fine art prints from artists as diverse as Ivan Lackovic & Ha Van Vuong. The company's popularist success divided opinion, their critics challenging such works were too vulgar and populist to be considered art.
The Curwen Press, founded by Reverend John Curwen in 1863 was based in Plaistow, London, England, initially to publish sheet music, the output included books, advertising posters and published ephemera. John's grandson, Harold, fostered the use of contemporary independent artists to significantly enhance printed matter for publicity purposes. The reputation of Curwen Press grew substantially in the years 1919 to 1939. The Press was bombed several times during the second world war, and the building was rebuilt substantially after the war. The store of lithographic plates was destroyed in the Blitz. In 1958 Herbert Simon established the Curwen Studio, a permanent professional studio to provide both artists and publishers with facilities that were pioneering and long overdue in Britain at that time. It supported an era of British avant-garde printmaking that lasted decades, and further cemented the Curwen name as synonymous with fine art and printing. Commissioned artists included sculptors such as Elizabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, alongside a new younger generation of artists who wanted to explore the lithograph medium which Harold Curwen had championed decades earlier. In 1977, the Tate Gallery held an exhibition called Artists at Curwen: A Celebration of the Gift of Artists' Prints from the Curwen Studio. Curwen Press printed much of the Athena output. The Curwen Press closed in 1984. The site was redeveloped and a nearby Primary School maintains the Curwen name.
Sent Royal Mail 48 in strong purpose made cardboard postal tube with plastic cap ends. Unfortunately I cannot offer same day dispatch or next day delivery.
For collection orders, cash on collection please.