La Belle Jardiniere – Octobre 1896

Eugène Grasset created this print, ‘La Belle Jardiniere – Octobre’, using the era’s innovative color lithography. This process allowed for an abundance of hues through layering inks, and as such, the print simulates the qualities of painting. Notice the flatness of the image, typical of the Art Nouveau style. Grasset subverts traditional painting techniques, to celebrate the aesthetic possibilities of commercial printmaking, by embracing bold outlines and stylized forms. The work also reflects the period's fascination with Japanese prints, visible in the simplified composition, decorative patterns and the flattening of perspective. The image was likely made as a calendar or magazine illustration, aligning art with everyday life. This reflects a wider Arts and Crafts movement ethos which sought to elevate craft to the status of fine art, and integrate beauty into the functional objects that surround us. ‘La Belle Jardiniere’ is a testament to the skill involved in making printed images, blurring the lines between commercial design and fine art.