No 1899

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this cover for the magazine Cocorico in 1899, employing lithography, a printmaking process using a flat stone or metal plate. The stark contrast between the red and black ink on the tan paper immediately grabs your attention. Look at how Steinlen has used the lithographic crayon to create bold, graphic marks, almost like a charcoal drawing. The rooster, with its proud comb and defiant gaze, seems to burst off the page. Lithography allowed for relatively quick reproduction and distribution of images. In this context, the process aligns with the rise of mass media and consumer culture at the turn of the century. The artist's hand is still evident in the expressive lines. This cover challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and commercial design. It shows how skilled craftsmanship and artistic vision could be harnessed for popular consumption.