The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-04

Hardly Less Popular Now than Mt
First.
Baltimore American.

FIRST.
Baltimore American.
1t is not good to scott at the work of the
poster artist, although at one time t1ls
style of art work was fruitful SuDJect
for jest and served the humorous contribu-
tors to comic papers well in providing them
matter for jokes at the expense of what
was considered by some an eccentric
form of ART that was easy of accomplish
ment and had little to recommend it ex-
cept it's oddness. Aubrey Beardsley, whose
death deprived the art world of promls-
ing figure at the brightest period OF MS
career was the target for many of these
jests. His best work was reproduced as a
jest in itself that scarcely needed any
comment from the jokiSt How merltofl-
Gus was the work that provoked laughter
in the 1ayman, only those who have tried
to master this most difficult form or ART
Numbers have attempted poster work and
failed. They have given up. acknowiedg-
ing that it requires a special gift TO draw
the wonderful creations that make an at
tractive poster. To-day the poster artists
are comparatively few, and their Work
commands excellent prices. Dudley Hafdy,
who made a success of this variety OF arr
work from the time when he first esSayeo
fl saws of the subject of posters: There
is nothing subtle or elusive in them; III
fact they are very straightforward. sThey
have one duty, however, and that is TO
catch the eye. Personally, / think the
least possible number of colors should be
used. Outlines, free strong and polo are
essential, and a very great thing IS GOOD
big margin
Aubrey BeardsIey drew in style that was
his own and could scarcely be INITIATED ~
was the kind of work that looked easy anu
caused beginners to imagine that they coulu
all be Aubrey Beardsleys without hair try
ing. What a mistake this was is seen III
the fact that no one has taken the pace
of BeardSley in his dashing originality VI
style and the quaintneSS of his work
Poster art is becoming more ana more
popular in this country. me american IAN
newspaper artist has taken kindly to the
idea and there are many fine poster arllSts
employed on leading American newspapers I|e
notably Dan Smith and William Hofacker,
whose work adorns magazine covers ana
pages.
of art are Jules Cheret, Lantrec, Meunler'
Grasset Joseph IsraelS Steinlen, Anquetin,
Bonnard, H. G. Ibels, Orazi WILLARD, VIII
lete, Mucha (whose "Gismonda' displaying
the Incompatible Sarah as the duchess OF
Athens was a revelation of the artlstlc
possibilities of the posterl, and, hnally'
Caran d'Ache who is now holding an eA-
In military life and army types Caran
d'Ache has been specially successful Inc
seie rec Pag y, depart pour
le Revue" EN- bonnie fortune" and
"Bathazar Manque," all of which deal with
phases of military life very dear TO the
In England Mr.. John HassaIrs posters
have been warmly commended. Mr.. Has
sail has won prizes given for the best poster
at poster exhibits and has taken an especial
interest in poster work, so much so that IN
book dealing with the poster work of the
~ as one of the best opponents of the art
Writing of his efforts, critic said:
There is a quaint simplicity about MI
Hassall's posters which has its own value
in the direct inteligibility with which IT
arrests the eye and calls attention 10 th2t
which it desires to advertise He is an adj
herent to the idea of fiat. plain-color sur
race without any unnecessary shading 10
indicate the line of the figure. Some of his
most charming pantOmime posters have
not been seen in London, such as his Red
Riding Hood which proves him TO be pos
sessed of a vivid sense of the color enect
which in poster work is so necessary. His
White Knight who beamed amiably upon
you just lately from every boarding, pas
its own little inner meaning. The band o.
black which some have not understood,
which crosses the yellow. means in heraldry
Jesse. which is one of the nine honorable
ordinaries, and represents the girdle of
knight, indicating his rank
The poster craze has at times gone to re-
markable lengths. On one occasion a poster
exhibition was given in Paris, at which all
the figures were living. Famous posters
were reproduced in the living picture
manner, and the idea made a great hit.