Art Nouveau French Lithograph of Sarah Bernhardt as Joan of Arc 1899

The poster was designed for Sarah Bernhardt's production of Jeanne D'Arc by Barbier at the Port Saint Martin theatre.

Grasset made 2 slightly different posters for this production. The first was not to Miss Bernhardt's liking as it did not have enough gravity to suit the serious nature of her role. This is the altered and final design, approved by the 'Divine Sarah' and used in her publicity.

Miss Bernhardt is depicted bravely holding her banner aloft amid an onslaught of arrows and spears. Grasset's design is bold and Gothic in style. The outlines are strong and dark as if designed for a stained glass window.

In very Fine condition the Lithograph is printed by Chaix of Paris, as were all issued in the Les Affiches Illustrees series. Signed in the plate lower left, the sheet measures 12" x 8 1/2" while the subject is 5 1/2" x 9".

Influenced by Japanese woodblock prints Eugene Grasset was a graphic designer and at the forefront of French Poster Art.

Because of their small edition numbers, lithographs from Les Affiches Illustrees series have become very rare.

Item ID: RL0087