Gonthier-Meymans by Henri Meunier, Art Nouveau lithograph, 1897

Henri Meunier’s Gonthier-Meymans lithographic poster, published by Verlag von Gerhard Kühtmann in Dresden, 1897. While this poster was printed in multiple sizes and formats, this 1897 edition of 40 strikes on Japon paper is the most desirable and extremely scarce edition. The rare, small format poster lithographs created at this time were printed using rich, dense, lead inks.The son of an etcher and nephew of a sculptor, Meunier’s harmony of simple color palette and Japonist linework communicates an informed and elegant sensitivity to design. This poster relies solely on its composition to showcase the wares of Gonthier-Meymans, a vendor of fabric, art framing, and housewares.“Belgium was one of the forefronts of the Art Nouveau movement… Henri Meunier bridged the completely modern style presented by Livemont with the traditional influences that inspired [William] Bradley and [Eugene] Grasset, to elegant result.”-Quoted from from Flowering Lines: Rare Art Nouveau Graphics 1883-1911 by