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A color plate from an exquisite book called Les Programmes Illustres, by Ernest Maindron, published in 1897, by Librairie Nilsson-Per Lamm, Paris purchased at auction, and filled with the most unbelievably detailed and remarkable works of art we have seen... granted we are biased and truly moved by works from this period, by truly, these are gems, in remarkable, mint condition, and more than 100 years old. The auction catalog reads: " 'I often ask myself what they, the curious of the year 2000, will think of us, whom we are cut off from by a century of dreadful events; them, knowing that which we don't yet know and that we nearly suspect, what will they say of our old frivolity with all that has passed? Won't they pity us, like we today have pity for the aristocratic society whose ancient prints we refer to with carelessness and levity?' Thus mused Pierre Veber in his prefacing comments for the Programmes Illustres, a hardcover compendium of some of the most beautiful menus, invitations, business cards and announcements of the Belle Epoque. Little could he have known how off the mark his thoughts were...." (Rennert) Each sheet is 9.25 x 12.5 inches, and the images on the sheet vary - this one, by Misti for the Scala (evidently a favorite client) is approx. 5 x 10 inches. The colors are immaculate and bright and the piece would frame up beautifully. Of Misti it has been written "Mifliez, Ferdinand (1865 - 1923) The phenomenon known as Art Nouveau reached its pinnacle of creativity in Paris during the last decade of the nineteenth century. Expressing themselves primarily through the art of the large, lithographic poster such great masters as Toulouse-Lautrec, Mucha, Grasset, Berthon, Cheret, Steinlen, Bonnard, Misti and others created a revolutionary form of imagery dependent upon elements of form and design. In short, French Art Nouveau stands at the core of the beginnings of modern art. ‘Misti’ was the pseudonym for Ferdinand Mifliez who received his first training as an industrial designer. Around 1890 he began working as a lithographer in Cheret’s Chaix printing house. His first artistic poster was created in 1893 and during the following ten years a number of very famous lithographs dealing with bicycling and other activities were produced by him. He was also a frequent exhibitor with the Salon des Artistes Francais and received an award from that institution in 1907."
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