Description
Presenting an exceptional authentic original poster and bibliophile portfolio plate: a 1897 lithographic plate by Belgian artist Léon Dardenne, titled “Cercle des Science” (Circle of Science). This authentic original lithograph appears as Plate No. 281 in the legendary publication Les Affiches étrangères illustrées (Foreign Illustrated Posters), one of the most prestigious and historically significant illustrated poster books ever published. Executed on fine vellum paper stock as part of a meticulously curated 1050-copy edition, this work showcases Dardenne’s mastery of satirical composition and Art Nouveau line work.
Léon Dardenne (Belgian, 1856–1912) was a celebrated painter, draughtsman, engraver, and poster artist active during the Art Nouveau and Modern periods. His distinctive satirical style and technical precision made him a sought-after contributor to the most prestigious European art publications of the 1890s. Les Affiches étrangères illustrées (1897) was a landmark publication that established the poster as legitimate fine art. Edited by the visionary critics M. Bauwens, T. Hayashi, La Forgue, Meier-Graefe, and J. Pennell, and published by Librairie Paris, this collectible poster portfolio celebrated the finest international poster designers of the era. The publication itself was so influential that copies are housed in major museums and archives worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art.:
This certified vintage poster plate is a black-and-white or sepia-toned lithograph, originally printed on fine vellum paper as part of the 1050-copy first edition of 1897. The work demonstrates Dardenne’s characteristic satirical wit and masterful line composition, capturing a witty commentary on Parisian intellectual culture. This authentic original vintage poster is presented in very good condition and is available linen-backed for conservation and museum mounting. As a member of the IVPDA (International Vintage Poster Dealers Association), we certify the authenticity and provenance of every certified antique poster in our collection.
This vintage poster for sale represents one of the finest antique posters from the landmark 1897 publication that revolutionized how posters were collected and appreciated as fine art. Collectors of vintage posters for sale, bibliophile editions, Art Nouveau, and European poster history actively seek pages and plates from Les Affiches étrangères illustrées—this is a museum-quality piece with unimpeachable provenance. The work’s connection to a historic portfolio, combined with its original publication in one of the most celebrated books in poster history, makes this a lasting and investment-worthy addition to any curated collection of rare prints and art historical ephemera.
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