Short object reading
Object note
This page stays close to the sheet itself: composition, historical setting, and the work's place in the archive.
What the work is
La Trappistine is a poster for the liqueur of the same name, printed by F. Champenois of Paris. The Musée Carnavalet dates it 1896, the Bibliothèque nationale de France catalogue 1897 (Rennert & Weill no. 30).
What to look at
The tall, narrow sheet leads the eye from top to bottom: lettering in the header, a circular halo of repeating ornament, and below it a slender figure in white. The bottle on the tray at lower right is the only direct reference to the product; the rest of the poster is atmosphere.
In deep zoom
Move in on the ring of cross-marked medallions, the flowers in her hair and arms, and the bottle’s label. The printer’s imprint and Mucha’s signature are at the bottom.
Related works
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La Plume
A magazine and print institution given a tall, almost iconic public face through Mucha's poster language.