Librairie Romantique | Maitre de L’Affiche: Plate #42

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 publisher Ed. Monnier & Cie. came out with a series of romantic novels for which Grasset prepared this memorable image that eloquently summarizes the age of romanticism: a young woman in velvet and lace, deeply absorbed in an imaginary confined real life. Even with her back turned on us, her yearnings are clearly expressed. Grasset treats his subject with utmost discretion, yet manages to let us in on her suppresses longings. The poster was used for the entire series, with names of individual volumes changed appropriately in the text area”(Gold p.60)

“This gentle and delightful work is singled out …as one of the four best posters of the period…In the exhibition at the Salon de Cent, it was generally considered Grasset's masterpiece” (Abdy p.124)