By Claire Kim
Standing on the corner of 54th Street and Madison Avenue, helplessly wobbling as I switched from ballet flats to nude wedges, I could see, with just a slight tilt of my head, the Ross Vintage Poster gallery. In comparison to the buildings that surround it, it is a rather petite structure with large windows, ones that invitingly read, “VINTAGE POSTER GALLERY.” I took a tiny elevator to arrive inside the exhibition room, which was not much bigger than the elevator itself. Stepping inside, I could see it was filled with vintage posters neatly decking the walls and piled high on the desks set up in the middle of the room. The size of the room was promptly countered by the quality, condition and range of different posters.
The current exhibit, “In the Beginning” focuses on turn of the century poster, ones that were the guiding lights for future poster artists. The pieces on the walls and display tables were from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, all original pieces in incredible condition. The exhibit showcased high profile names such as Lautrec and Mucha, while also introducing works by lesser known artists and even anonymous works.
The two main art movements of this time period were Art Nouveau and Belle Epoque. Pieces from each category were featured together for “In the Beginning.” The organization of the pieces in the exhibit was visually diverse yet cohesive at the same time. The Art Nouveau pieces, most notably “The Seasons” by Alphonse Mucha, featured soft pastels, delicate lines and heavy Czech influence. Meanwhile, the Belle Epoque pieces, such as Pal’s “Palais Sports,” held brighter colors and heavier outlines with a carnival-like playfulness.
The most recognizable piece of this exhibit was “Jane Avril- Jardin de Paris” by Toulouse-Lautrec. This piece, along with “Jane Avril Snake Dress,” is a well known examples of the Belle Epoque movement and poster art. After I was able to snap out of the overwhelming awe I felt while looking at the many Lautrec pieces that have been dissected in my art history textbooks, I explored different artists. One of my personal favorite pieces was, “Musee Grevin-Fantouches de John Hewelt” by Cheret. This poster advertises a show performance in Paris. The delicate layering of colors and festive nature of the poster is directly related to the drama and light-heartedness of the Belle Epoque movement. The exhibit itself makes it easy and fun for the viewer to find similarities and differences between pieces. The posters were created in relatively the same time frame, but were derived from different artistic influences.
The works from this time in history reflect of the massive changes that were going on in the world. These pieces show the rebellion against what art was and was not, a reevaluation of what is considered beautiful and the sharing of art with the common people. These posters were displayed on common streets, enabling a collective viewing of some art that was being printed and mass produced. The exhibit shares a glimpse of a past that is not so different from our rapidly changing, technology driven present. “In the Beginning” is a beautifully thought out and intricately researched exhibits that is a must-see this fall.
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Claire Kim is a Staff Writer for The Fordham Ram.
