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 were sold in packages of four and delivered monthly to subscribers. Designed for a subscription audience it showcased the most influential posters of the era in a collectible small format.

Louis Rhead (1857-1962) was an English-born American artist, illustrator, author, and angler. Rhead’s art education began with pottery making: his family had operated and worked in the Staffordshire Potteries for at least three generations, and his father, George Rhead, had founded the Fenton School of Art. Louis Rhead and all his siblings have taken his father’s class when they are children. He also collaborated with his artistic brother in book-illustration projects when grown up. In the early 1890s, Rhead became a prominent printmaker and was heavily influenced by the work of Swiss artist Eugène Grasset. Rhead’s poster art appeared regularly in Harper's Bazaar, Harper's Magazine, St. Nicolas, Century Magazine, Ladies Home Journal and Scribner's Magazine. In 1895 he won a Gold Medal for Best American Poster Design at the first International Poster Show in Boston. He turned to book illustration later in his career and has illustrated works like Robin Hood, The Swiss Family Robinson, Robinson Crusoe, The Deerslayer, Treasure Island, Kidnapped and Heidi. This poster was designed to advertise the New York Sun newspaper. Ice skating was an extremely popular sport and social activity at the turn of the century. Note how the text is cleverly reflected in the ice!

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

This measures 11" x 15" - 28cm x 38cm