willi herold
William Shakespeare was a British poet and playwright and writer.
William's father, John Shakespeare, was a merchant and official in Stratford. There are reports that he was a sailor for a time before joining a theater company in London. Beginning in the 1590s, Shakespeare began writing plays, and in 1593 he published a poem, Venus and Adonis, which became popular. He dedicated it to the Duke of Southampton, who was a philanthropist and patron of talent, and soon his business was booming.
From 1592 to 1600 Shakespeare wrote his dramas and romantic comedies "Richard III", "The Taming of the Shrew", "Romeo and Juliet", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Merchant of Venice", as well as the comedies "Much Ado About Nothing", "Twelfth Night" and the tragedy "Julius Caesar". The playwright's business was so successful that he even bought a large house in Stratford. In 1599, Shakespeare became one of the owners, playwright and actor of the new theater "Globe". In 1603 King James took Shakespeare's troupe under his direct patronage. In the mature period, the great playwright turned to tragedies, there were "Hamlet", "Othello", "King Lear", "Macbeth" and others.
Although in the 19th century researchers had some doubts about the authorship of many of these works, William Shakespeare is considered the greatest English playwright, one of the best playwrights in the world. His plays have been translated into all major languages and to this day form the basis of the world theatrical repertoire, most of them have been screened many times. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Shakespeare remains the world's best-selling playwright, and his plays and poems have sold more than 4 billion copies in the nearly 400 years since his death.
Zhao Wou-Ki (Chinese: 赵无极, pinyin: Zhào Wújí) was a Chinese-French painter. He was a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Zao Wou-Ki graduated from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, where he studied under Fang Ganmin and Wu Dayu.
.jpg)
Hannah Höch was a German Dada artist. She is best known for her work of the Weimar period, when she was one of the originators of photomontage. Photomontage, or fotomontage, is a type of collage in which the pasted items are actual photographs, or photographic reproductions pulled from the press and other widely produced media.
Höch's work was intended to dismantle the fable and dichotomy that existed in the concept of the "New Woman": an energetic, professional, and androgynous woman, who is ready to take her place as man's equal. Her interest in the topic was in how the dichotomy was structured, as well as in who structures social roles.
Other key themes in Höch's works were androgyny, political discourse, and shifting gender roles. These themes all interacted to create a feminist discourse surrounding Höch's works, which encouraged the liberation and agency of women during the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) and continuing through to today.
Jules Chéret, a French artist and lithographer, revolutionized the world of advertising and poster art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Paris in 1836, Chéret's innovative techniques and vibrant style earned him the title of "the father of the modern poster," a distinction that highlights his significant contributions to the graphic arts. His work was greatly influenced by the Rococo movement, drawing inspiration from artists like Jean-Honoré Fragonard and Antoine Watteau, which is evident in his joyful and lively representations of women, known as 'Chérettes.' These figures broke away from traditional depictions, celebrating femininity with elegance and a sense of freedom, thereby contributing to a more open atmosphere in Parisian society.
Chéret's mastery of lithography, a printing technique he believed would dominate over traditional letterpress, allowed for the production of colorful and dynamic posters. His approach to lithography was revolutionary; he simplified the chromolithographic process by using three primary colors and treated the limestone with a painterly technique that included animated brush lines and soft washes. This enabled him to produce posters that were not only advertisements but also highly regarded pieces of art. His first major commission came in 1858 for Jacques Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld," marking the beginning of a prolific career that would redefine poster art.
Chéret's legacy is vast, with his works now coveted by collectors and art enthusiasts around the world. In 1895, he created the "Maîtres de l'Affiche" collection, which featured smaller reproductions of the best works by ninety-seven Parisian artists, further cementing his impact on the art world. His influence extended to inspiring a new generation of artists, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Charles Gesmar. Despite his passing in 1932 in Nice, Chéret's contributions to art and culture remain celebrated, and his innovative posters continue to be a source of fascination and admiration.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Chéret's work represents a pivotal moment in the history of graphic design and advertising, blending artistic merit with commercial appeal in a way that was groundbreaking for its time. His posters, characterized by vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and a distinctively cheerful and liberated portrayal of women, offer a glimpse into the cultural and social milieu of Belle Époque Paris.
If you're intrigued by Jules Chéret's work and wish to explore more about his contributions to art and advertising, consider signing up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to his work. This subscription will provide you with the opportunity to deepen your understanding of Chéret's legacy and perhaps even add a piece of his history-making art to your collection.
Zhao Wou-Ki (Chinese: 赵无极, pinyin: Zhào Wújí) was a Chinese-French painter. He was a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Zao Wou-Ki graduated from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, where he studied under Fang Ganmin and Wu Dayu.
