Theodora | Maitre de L’Affiche: Plate #214

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.
“Although mostly known as a master of subtle colour shadings, Orazi could also surprise us with an entirely atypical design like this one for a play whose theme required a classicist approach. The description of this poster in the 1896 Reims catalogue indicates that the “Byzantine mosaic decor” is by Orazi and the design is by Auguste Francois Gouruet (1862-1927), Maindron declared this important work ‘une affiche parfaite’ and Sagot, in his 1891 catalogue, said it exhibits a ‘Tres belle composition.’ It may well be the first poster ever done for Sarah Bernhardt.” (Rennert, PAI-XXVII, 541)