Edition Sagot-Estampes & Affiches Illustres, 1898-1900

Description

In the late 1890’s Helleu was approached by the print gallery dealer Sagot about making an advertisement poster for his business. Helleu, one of the most highly regarded artists of women, was an obvious choice. Instead of featuring one of his archetypal drypoint prints of a woman’s portrait, which Helleu would do so often for many of his clients, he cleverly shows a fashionable perspective customer sitting (presumably) within Sagot’s store, leaning over and closely inspecting prints. The whole image is wonderfully appealing with the woman’s hand reaching back, steadying herself as she’s sitting sideways on her chair. Her whole body language speaks so eloquently of her interest in the work.