Eugene Grasset Georges Richard Poster 1899 – Cycles & Automobiles Lithograph

Description

The Artist & Historical Context

Eugene Grasset (1845–1917) created the iconic Eugene Grasset Georges Richard poster 1899, which stands among the most sophisticated and influential works of the Art Nouveau movement. A Swiss painter, sculptor, and designer who worked primarily in Paris, Grasset elevated commercial lithography to fine art through his mastery of atmospheric composition, symbolic imagery, and the integration of typography with illustration. His posters were celebrated for their psychological depth—what he sold was never merely the product, but the mood, the moment, the aspirational lifestyle surrounding it. This approach made him an innovator in modern advertising aesthetics decades before Madison Avenue would claim the discovery.

The Georges Richard Commission

Georges Richard was one of France’s prominent bicycle manufacturers during the Belle Époque, a company that recognized the commercial potential of the emerging automobile industry at the turn of the century. Interestingly, the 1899 poster for Georges Richard, which Eugene Grasset designed, perfectly epitomizes this transformative era. Like many bicycle makers of the era, Richard initially treated automotive production as a profitable sideline—diversification in an uncertain market. However, the automobile would soon consume the industry entirely. Within a few years of this poster’s creation, the “sideline” would become the company’s sole focus, and eventually, bicycles would disappear from their catalog altogether. This 1899 lithograph captures a pivotal moment in industrial history: the transition from pedal to engine, from Belle Époque leisure to Edwardian velocity.

The Composition & Artistic Achievement

What makes this poster extraordinary is precisely what Grasset chooses not to show. As design historian Jonathan Gold has noted, “Of the product, we see barely a handlebar: it is the moody and enigmatic rider who carries the weight of the sale.” The woman in the orange dress is the focal point—her confident, mysterious gaze and striking silhouette dominate the composition. The bicycle (or is it the automobile?) recedes into suggestion. The twilight effect, rendered in warm ochres and muted reds, creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The four-leaf clovers and organic Art Nouveau flourishes surrounding the typography suggest luck, elegance, and the promise of modern freedom. In particular, Grasset’s 1899 Georges Richard poster merges artistic achievement with historical significance, making Eugene Grasset’s vision unforgettable. Text and image dissolve into a unified visual field—there is no separation between advertisement and art.

This is Grasset at his height: economical in means, profound in effect, and wholly persuasive in its suggestion that purchasing Georges Richard cycles and automobiles is not a transaction, but an entrance into a world of sophistication and taste.

Condition & Framing

Original stone lithograph, printed by Imp. de Vaugirard, G. de Malherbe, Paris. Linen-backed to ensure permanence and stability. The poster is housed in a prestigious Roma 5.25″ wax wood frame—no longer manufactured due to production costs that exceeded the value of many original posters. The frame features museum-grade specifications:

• Frame Molding: Roma 5.25″ wax wood (Italian craftsmanship, discontinued line)
• Mat: 3.25″ hand-wrapped black linen
• Accent: 1/4″ gold filet
• Glazing: Museum-quality plexiglass (UV-protective, non-glare)
• Frame Dimensions: 74″ × 59″ (framed artwork is ready for immediate display)
• Poster Dimensions: 58 7/8″ × 44″ (original stone lithograph)

The framing approach reflects museum conservation standards and represents a significant investment in preservation. Moreover, collectors prize the Eugene Grasset Georges Richard poster of 1899 not only for its condition but also for the quality of its framing and presentation. This is the kind of frame that elevates a poster from wall decoration to a gallery-quality installation piece.

Collector Appeal & Provenance

This poster represents a confluence of factors that serious collectors seek: a recognized master artist at the peak of his creative powers; a historically significant subject matter (the bicycle-to-automobile transition); exceptional condition; and museum-grade professional framing that will preserve the piece for generations. Collectors of poster art consistently value pieces like the 1899 Georges Richard poster by Eugene Grasset for their provenance and documented history. The poster is documented in major reference works, including the Berthon & Grasset catalog, the Encyclopédie/Weill, and multiple definitive histories of poster art.

Supplied with IVPDA Certificate of Authenticity.

Shipping Note

This is a large, framed original artwork. Specific shipping charges will be quoted based on your final destination before order confirmation. Furthermore, the Eugene Grasset Georges Richard poster from 1899 will be professionally packaged for safe shipment. Contact for a personalized shipping estimate.

Reference Citations:
DFP-II, 415; Bicycle Posters, 21; Berthon & Grasset, p. 34; Weill, 41; Timeless Images, 28; Dodge, p. 132; Ailes, p. 119; Gold, 78; Encyclopédie/Weill p. 41; Posters of Paris, 54; PAI-L, 265