Date: 1899
Size: 36 x 50 inches
Artist: Misti (Ferdinand Mifliez)
A poster that says much about the emancipation of women as the bicycle gave many women their first taste of freedom. Le Vélo was the leading French sports newspaper from its inception on 1 December 1892 until it ceased publication in 1904. Mixing sports reporting with news and political comment, it achieved a circulation of 80,000 copies a day. It was easily recognized by the green-tinted newsprint on which it was published - which the artist Misti references in the greenwash that colors the newspaper in this poster!
Ferdinand Mifliez (also known as Misti) (1865-1922) was born, raised and educated in Paris, and depicted Parisian life flawlessly. He was first trained as an industrial designer and was influenced to make posters while working at the Chaix printing house. He changed his name from Mifliez to Misti after graduating from the School of Decorative Arts (an Art Deco school) in 1888. He was a passionate man who was also a talented composer and pianist but was primarily known as an engraver, lithographer, and illustrator of his favorite theme: beautiful Parisian women. He made his first poster in 1893 and later became one of the busiest posterists of his time, following in the footsteps of his mentor, Jules Cheret. Misti created many of his posters for Paris's major department stores and modes of transport such as cycles and automobiles. His works were hung in Salons throughout Paris, among the Humorist galleries and at the Societe des Artistes Francais, from which he received an award in 1907. He's famous for his direct and explicit style and bold use of line and color, all innovations that continue to influence the artists of today.
This oversized poster is linen backed and in great condition.