Lot 239: Societe des Miniaturistes et Enlumineurs.

Societe des Miniaturistes et Enlumineurs.
CLEMENTINE-HELENE DUFAU (1869-1937)
Imp. Charles Verneau, Paris
Cond B-/Restored tears at folds and edges.
For those not familiar with the specific terminology used in this exquisitely-halcyon Dufau advertisement, an illuminator is an artist that specializes in the decoration of a portion of a page with gold and silver inks or brilliant colors featuring elaborate designs or miniature pictures. And that's precisely what Dufau sets forth in this poster for the Fourth Exhibition of French Miniaturists and Illuminators-albeit in an allegorically captivating manner-presented by Georges Petit. Petit (1856-1920) was a French art dealer, a key figure in the Paris art world and an important promoter and cultivator of Impressionist artists-most notably Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir and Auguste Rodin. Dufau was one of the first women to make a name for herself as a poster artist. Originally a naturalistic painter, she later became a lithographer in the decorative and symbolist veins. Rare!
1898
37 3/4 x 53 1/8 in./95.8 x 135 cm