The Belle Époque or La Belle Époque

“As graphic design, posters belong to the category of presentation and promotion, where image and word need to be economical, connected in a single meaning, and memorable.”(Hollis R,1998,p78) When it comes to the factors that lead to the rise of the pictorial poster in the nineteenth centuryits clearly to see that most of them occurred in Paris, France. A Frenchman Jules Cheret had created a new technique which revolutionized the look of the posters. As well as Jules Cheret and his success of lithography I will be exploring the Belle Epoque as well as the Ukiyo-e influence upon Henri upon Toulouse Lautrec as well as the impacts of the rising middle classand why France has played a large role in the artist development of the medium.
During 1870s posters became the main role of mass communication in Paris. With the fast growth of posters . Europe and the Americas, Milan and Berlin quickly became the "Art Gallery of the Street" which created a precedent for modern advertising.
The Belle Époque or La Belle Époque(French for "Beautiful Era") was a period in European social history that began during the late 19th century and lasted until World War I. Was a golden age for illustration and graphic design .Posters expressing a unique culture and society and the emergence of a lot of style that time.
One of the most important factor which leds to the rise of the pictorial poster was the work and skills of Jules Cheret.He had created a new technique which is called three stone process which allowed printer to achieve every colour in the rainbow with as little as three separate lithographic stones. Jules Cheret was a son of a type compositor, he was moved to London and was “established by the generosity off Monsieur Rimmel in his own printing work, his career was one of conquest. Everyone commissioned posters from him.”(Abdy, 1969, p.30)
During this time it is clear to see that Chéret’s style altered and improved, his colours are more radiant and compositions more effective. He uses illustrations as the main features and reducing text to a minor explanatory role and the effect was incredible. His technique allows text and graphics together, posters have became an attractive and a powerful artistic innovation in the economy mode. Therefore he is known as the “Father of Modern Posters”
Cheret's subject matter dealt mainly with gaieties of Parisan night life in theatres and cafes.