Philips lampen in alle sterkten 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk made this striking advertisement for Philips lightbulbs sometime between 1910 and 1945, using lithography. The layering of colours and shapes here is so smart, the way they build up this image feels so solid. I find myself drawn to the hand, how its colours are so fleshy. There's this layering of pinks and reds, which gives it a slightly translucent, almost x-ray quality, it reminds me of a Francis Bacon, but happier! The hand itself is gripping a lightbulb as if it's the most precious thing in the world, which, in a way, it was at the time, it was so new. The simple areas of tone make the image pop. Stolk's work reminds me a little of Stuart Davis, it's graphic and bold, and there's a similar sense of playfulness, a real zest for the everyday. It's like Stolk is saying, "Hey, even lightbulbs can be exciting!" And you know what? He's right!