BELLE EPOQUE
( 1885 - 1910 )
A middle class was developing in France for the first time, and gave its name to this genre. World class artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec were leading poster designers of this period.
Fanciful images reflect the material interests of a society discovering newfound freedom, and the leisure to enjoy it, Beautiful women and a soft palette typify these posters.
Best-known artists: Cappiello, Cheret, Grun, Misti, Pal and Steinlen.