SALE: Original Antique French Art Nouveau Lithograph 'Le Sillon' by Toussaint 1896

Designed by Belgian Artist Fernand Toussaint and printed in Paris in 1896 by Imprimerie Chaix.

At the turn of the 19th Century Brussels was a major centre of artistic creativity. Powerful groups such as 'Le Sillon' attracted avant garde artists from all over Europe. Le Sillon (the furrow) was an artistic circle of decorative realists and this poster was Toussaints first. It attracted wide acclaim and brought him fame both in Belgium and abroad.

It is a stunning and flamboyant poster and executed in warm soft tones. The simple image of a lovely young girl gently pulling aside a sheaf of corn and flowers which she is about to cut with her scythe is alive with meaning. Symbolically it depicts the artist finding his own way (the furrow) to express himself. It also represents the members of 'Le Sillon' clearing away the old style of art in preparation for the new (Nouveau).

This is not a Maitre de L'Affiche poster. It is from a much smaller format series called Les Affiches Etrangeres (The Foreign Posters). These mini stone Lithographs were executed in 1896 for the avid collectors of Paris and only 1025 were ever printed.

This example by Toussaint ~1873-1956~ is extremely rare and sought after. The original large poster from which it was taken sold in New York in November 1993 for US$16,500.00. See picture #3

The entire sheet size is 8 1/2" x 12" and the subject measures 5 1/4" x 7".

Signed in the plate it is unframed and in A condition. Please email me if you would like more photographs.

A wonderful example of the 19th Century Lithograph to add to your collection.

Item ID: RL00101