The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-11-05
EXHIBITION or AMERICAN
POSTERS.

There are indications that the poster.
as q medium for the advertising Of literary
products, Is again coming into active
vogue. Meanwhile, Il has not ceased to
be an object OF interest to collectors. to
whose notice may be commended a fine
exhibition OF American examples, now
being held at s. q. Rains's, corner OF 30th
street and Fifth avenue.
While the poster Is not to be taken too
seriously. 1t yet calls into play qualities
OF a KIM far too distinguished and rare
10 be lightly esteemed. The necessity
that IL must make a direct and forcible
appeal 10 the eye Is no slight matter, calling.
as II docs, for a corresponding amount
Of decision and originality on the part
OF the draughtsman. while the other de-
sideratum, amounting almost to a neces-
sity, that IL shall be decorative, opens
opens up a wide range for the imaginative
faculty. On the other hand, h advisa-
bility Of making a precise and instantaneous
impression brings into request that finer
quality Of selection, which not only knows
how to omit but how TO extend the fullest
value from what It uses. So that poster
making, when it is good. affords one Of the
most fascinating studies in the by-paths
Of art.
1t Is quito impossible TO mention more
than a few OF the drsughtsmen repre-
sented on this occasion, and among those
q Of the best Is Edward Penfeld. Es-
pecially In that series OF posters which
no made for Harper's Magazine. one Is
conscious Of a very marked individuality
that becomes gradually more and more
persuasive. For in his earlier work there
is a certain crudity OF style. amounting
almost to an afectation; perhaps. how
ever, more In appearance than in intention,
since It was probably the result OF a de-
termined effort to get rid OF all unes-
sentials and to discover some truthful
method OF simple generalization By
degrees his work, while retaining It's severe
simplicity, becomes more flexible In line,
the line itself moro full OF suggestion.
and the color also grows more animated:
every feature Of tbs drawing. in fact, be-
coming moro full Of meaning. He has
reached, what seems very desirable in
a poster, the ability to divest the fig
ures OF all personality and to make them
embody types. And underlying these
typical studies Is a quiet humor, which
shows itself chiefly in tho introduction
Ol tno DoCNou, tltIoI " INC kruCihi
conception or In some happy surprise OF
detail.
In pure line work nothing better has
been done in this country than the black
and white posters by Will II. Bradley.
Occasionally he impinges on the manner
Of Aubrey Beardsley and quite unnsces-
sarily. for the OF his own magma
ton are sufficiently copious; and. when he
draws upon them directly. his work has
all the charm OF vigor as well as delioacy.
BY putting a plant in a cellar at some dis
tance from the light you nay o a its
growth into all manner Of accidental ele-
gancies, but you will lose the free grace OF
health; and there Is just this difference
bet ween these dainty contrivances OF line.
according as Bradley is relying upon him
self or Ia affecting the influence OF Boards
ley. But in the best OF these posters the
charm in not alone due TO delicacy. but quite
much to the general breadth IN vfgor
OF the design. The construction Of the
latter is bold and simple, Offering a strong
to the embroidery Of detail.
As a black and white draughtsman Louis
J. Rhead is not less accomplished. though
lacks Bradley's versatility, his work
having more affinity with the line work
OF the older wood-e ngravers. Many Of
his posters here are colored; very brilliant
10 hue and treated with a certain rerre,
however. In a little discounted bv
the rather tame drawing Of the figures
very interesting examples Of the
uss OF primary %colors. bright blue. yellow
and red. are 10 be seen in W. Carqueville's
for Lippincotfs Tho line il used
very sparingly and mostly as a firm, strong
for the large pattern Of color, a
tina In its econom OF means and
scientific precision IL very attractive. For
the same magazine there is a cries done
In pastals. bv J j Gould. Jr.
Perhaps he has been a little influenced by
Edward penheld II 30, rather h. the matter
Of what 20 try for than ia the manner Of
reaching II. for his drawing ~ the figure
is moss supple and accomplished generally
But he, also. 10 aiming for typical signih-
oanos Ia his figures aud gains II. some %
his subjsc's having unusual dignity Of
To poster collectors or those Interested
In the az the exhibition oan he heartily
commended