Amara Blanqui, Le Meilleur Des Amers 1880 - 1900

This poster, by Georges Meunier, likely created at the turn of the century, advertises Amara Blanqui, and features a dancer in a swirling yellow dress holding up the brand's name. The figure's dance is a potent symbol, echoing the Maenads of ancient Greece, frenzied female followers of Dionysus. Consider their ecstatic movements—meant to induce a trance, break down inhibitions, and connect with the divine. Here, the dancer in the poster also seems to embody a liberation, though in a much more commercial sense: she dances to sell liquor. Yet, the echo of those ancient, unrestrained rituals is still palpable, subtly suggesting that consuming 'Amara Blanqui' might lead to a similar, albeit milder, form of ecstatic release. The rose on her chest, a symbol of beauty, love, and secrecy, adds another layer. In the context of advertising, the rose subtly conveys a sense of hidden depths and alludes to something mysterious and alluring—perhaps even hinting at the psychological allure of 'the best of bitters', which is what the caption proclaims.