J. Arthus Cycles Papillon. 1896. SIZE: 54 7/8... Lot 8

J. Arthus Cycles Papillon. 1896. SIZE: 54 7/8 x 39 in./139.4 x 90 cm PRINTER: Imp. Charles Verneau, Paris DESCRIPTION: “What a poster! Here, for Papillon, the ‘premiere Belgian marque,’ Arthus proposes a very original interpretation of his thematic takeoff point. The immense 'papillon' (butterfly) on which he installs his cyclist appears to be ready to evaporate with a simple beat of its wings. What could be lighter, more airy than a butterfly? This very tempting publicity, with its freshness, appeals to our innocence with a certain childish vision: it’s Tom Thumb mounting a bicycle. The image is equally a great excuse to introduce broad, flat plains of color, with the butterfly being used as a pretext for the sun-yellow tint that was so popular in the posters of the period. The boater, the belt and the russet-red hair of the fair young woman also make an echo of this. One senses standing in front of this image that the important thing is not the drawing of the bicycle, nor its design features, but the idea of freedom that the bicycle elicits” (Ailes, p. 67). (Art Nouveau; Bicycles; Animals)