Théâtre National De L’odeon 1890

Eugène Grasset created this lithographic poster for the Théâtre National de l'Odéon in Paris around 1890 using a then-modern printing technique that allowed for the mass production of colourful imagery. Lithography involves drawing an image with a greasy crayon onto a flat stone or metal plate, treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas, and then printing it onto paper. This process allowed artists to achieve a wide range of tonal effects and intricate details, as seen in the delicate rendering of the figures and the text in this poster. The poster reflects the growing commercialization of art and culture in late 19th-century Paris, where artists like Grasset were employed to create visually appealing advertisements for various businesses and events. Lithography democratized art by making it more accessible and affordable for a wider audience, blurring the lines between fine art and commercial design. This poster shows how materials, making, and context come together to challenge those distinctions.