Jeanne Darc / Sarah Bernhardt | Maitre de L’Affiche: Plate #174

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.

“Grasset produced this poster for Sarah Bernhardt’s production of ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ by Barbier, at the Porte Saint Martin Theatre. Madame Sarah is shown standing heroically, holding her banner aloft, defying the sea of arrows plunging towards her, while a sea of pikes points forward toward her. A finely decorative set of clouds bisects the background diagonally. The upright rectangular composition is framed with the words ‘Jeanne D’Arc’ and ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, in elaborate Gothic letters. The central figure’s left foot bends down over the formal drawn ground. This poster was greatly admired by critics and public…Grasset’s design is bold and striking. It could be used for stained glass. The outlines are strong and clear, the central figure a splendid example of the Grasset maiden”(Berthon & Grasset p.42)