Design for an advertisement for champagne 1895 - 1905

Jean-Roch Isnard created this pencil sketch for a champagne advertisement. It shows a figure toasting with a raised glass. The drawing on paper captures the spontaneity of the artistic process. Pencil, as a medium, is immediate, allowing for quick alterations and revisions. You can see this in the sketchiness of the lines, which capture the ephemeral quality of a moment of celebration. The figure’s pose is dynamic, emphasized by the radiating lines behind her. While the medium is simple, the intent is clear: to associate champagne with luxury, beauty, and revelry. The use of pencil also speaks to the commercial nature of the project. Unlike a finished painting or sculpture, this drawing is a preliminary step in the production of an advertisement. It's a study of how images translate into commercial narratives. Consider the amount of artistic labor, which underpins even the most fleeting and seemingly effortless moments of pleasure. By examining the materials and the making of this advertisement, we gain insight into the social context of its creation, blurring the lines between fine art, craft, and commerce.