Artist: Adolfo Hohenstein German (1854-1928)
Title: Monte Carlo
Plate: R.07
Original lithograph from the "Ricordi Portfolio"
Printed in Italy 1914. View entire collection (70)
Presented in 16 in x 20 in acid free, archival museum mat, with framing labels. Ready to frame. Shipped boxed flat via Fedex.
Certificate of Authenticity.
Sheet Size: 10 in x 14 in 25.5 cm x 35.5 cm
Price: $350.00 reduced from $450
Full size sold for $4,600.00 Poster Auctions International NY May 2007. Extremely Rare.
"At the turn of the century Monaco was already considered to be the most elegant resort on the French Riviera, thanks in large part to the flair and dynamic presence of Mr. Blanc, the owner of the Casino and surrounding palaces. He understood the importance of advertising and commissioned the best artists of the day to help promote his properties. Mucha designed Monaco-Monte Carlo in 1897, as well as stock posters for his theatres, and Jules-Alexandre Grun and Hohenstein designed posters, each depicting the stylish and exotic activities that were available to wealthy patrons. Hohenstein's first effort was in 1900, promoting motorboat races. He followed that with this image touting the pigeon shooting tournaments in the region. The work is a soft-toned, elegant image showing an affluent couple surrounded by stylized, Art Nouveau motifs, including the unexpected depictions of the pigeons and ammunition" (Swann)
This is a selection from the very rare commemorative portfolio published by the renowned Italian printer Ricordi in 1914. The portfolio consisted of 70 lithographic plates (smaller versions) of Ricordi's greatest posters printed between 1895 and 1914. Many of the images in the series are so rare that they can be found today in no other format. In the 1870s, Ricordi opened an in-house lithography shop to promote its operas and sheet music business. Ricordi quickly became the leading lithographer in Italy and by 1895 was creating posters for other clients such as Campari, the Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera, and the Mele Department store of Naples. Under the tutelage of Adolfo Hohenstein, a brilliant stable of artists emerged at Ricordi. Artists including Cappiello, Caldanzano, Cavaleri, Dudovich, Laskoff, Metlicovitz and Mataloni brought Art Nouveau, known as Stile Liberty in Italy, to a world class level. Much like the famous Maitre de L'Affiche series created by Cheret in Paris, this portfolio celebrated the rise of the poster - which in Italy was almost single-handedly accomplished by Ricordi. (www.internationalposter.com)