Gres Emile Muller | Maitre de L’Affiche: Plate #131

This artwork is from Les Maitres de L’Affiche series; miniature versions of outstanding stone lithograph artworks of the most important advertising posters by the finest artists.
The text reads “Great Tileworks of Ivry, founded in 1854, Ivry-Port near Paris; the largest ceramics factory in the world for building, industry and art productions; Emille Muller stoneware; execution of works by masters of statuary; architectural facings; decorative sculpture; showroom and salesroom, 3 rue Halevy; the only tile able to bear the names Muller and Ivry; (tiles) guaranteed against frost”
Given the commission for an extremely text heavy poster, the artist executes a masterful design. The angelic young boy holds the wares of this famous ceramics factory, against an abstract background awash in organic green hues. The handling of the immense text that flows from top to bottom in every available space shows great artistic skill, as the overall beauty of the design is intact.

In 1989 the Metropolitan Museum of art acquired a stoneware plaque by Charpentier with precisely this design. Charpentier himself was a sculptor and medallist.