Reclamebiljet: Irène Henry à l'Horloge 1877 - 1912

This is Henri-Gabriel Ibels’ advertising poster for Irène Henry at l’Horloge. Its colour palette, dominated by muted blues and greens, creates a calm and inviting atmosphere. Ibels expertly uses simplified forms and broad areas of colour to draw the viewer's eye, employing a visual economy typical of posters from this period. Notice how the figure of Irène Henry, with her elegant posture and flowing dress, is not just a representation but a constructed sign, that signifies sophistication and allure. The composition is structured around a diagonal line, leading from the bottom left to the top right, guiding our gaze through the image and text. The text itself becomes part of the design. Ibels here understands the poster not merely as advertisement, but as a visual field where colour and composition become active participants in constructing meaning. Meaning is not fixed but emerges from the interplay between the visual elements and the viewer's interpretation.