Original 1901 Paul Berthon 'queen Wilhemina' Art Nouveau Chromolithograph in Oak

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Original 1901 paul berthon (1872-1909) 'queen wilhemina' chromolithograph in original oak frame
this is just a great original piece. I … Read more Original 1901 paul berthon (1872-1909) 'queen wilhemina' chromolithograph in original oak frame
this is just a great original piece. I have had a few paul berthon prints in the past few years but surprisingly this is the first time I have had this image. For those not familiar with the artist, I have included his biography below. This is one of the artist's most important images. A wonderful chromolithograph on paper measuring 15 1/2 x 14 inches. Signed within the image upper left corner. Print is in wonderful original condition. Looks to be nearly completely unfaded. Original oak frame is excellent. I have not removed the original wood backing because this piece is about as original as you are going to find it. Boston gallery label verso from when this was framed probably around 1901 when it was created. Just a complete original package of this wonderful art nouveau print. Frame measures 21 x 19 1/2 inches.

For those not familiar with the artist his biography from a gallery that sells the artist's work reads: "Along with the art of Alfons Mucha, the lithographs of Paul Berthon stand at the centre of our interpretation of Art Nouveau grace and beauty. Despite his very short life it is impossible not to rank Berthon among the greatest masters of this entire turn-of-the-century movement. Unlike most Art Nouveau posters, Berthon's panneaux decoratifs included no advertising and no letterpress. They were meant to stand alone as significant works of art in their own right. A very gifted posterist and illustrator, and a pupil of Grasset, who created some of the most endearing images of women.

Towards end of the 1800s with the rise of the middle class, there was an explosion of interest in the decorative arts, set off by the work of Eugene Grasset and Alponse Mucha. Along with their artworks, the lithographs by Paul Berthon stand alone with deft craftsmanship and elegance. Berthon was a painter, lithographer, commercial artist of magazine covers and a designer of furniture and ceramics. He studied as a painter in Villefranche before going to Paris in 1893. Although he continued to study in Paris, his greatest influence was that of Eugene Grasset, another towering figure with Mucha. Berthon's early graphic works show a similar style to those of Grasset. Later as Berthon grew as an artist, he began using a pastel colored palette, with strongly defined patterns, with a Japanese influence that made him achieve wide appeal. Paul Berthon died at the untimely age of 37. He will be respected and remembered for his contribution to the Art Nouveau movement " See less