If you love poster illustrations, you might have noticed the variety of styles and periods that influenced them. Art Nouveau and Art Deco are both popular styles, but what about the German Plakatstil? Here are three periods that have shaped the history of poster illustration. Learn about them to understand the style of poster illustrations that appeal to you most. Listed below are some of the best examples of each period. The first period is the Art Nouveau, and its revival is a fascinating time in art history.
Art Nouveau
One of the most famous artists of the Art Nouveau era was Louis John Rhead, who was born in England and studied in Paris. He later settled in the United States and became the artistic director of publishing house D. Appleton. His poster illustrations reflect the influence of the Pre-Raphaelite movement that was popular in England. The Poster House exhibit features many of his illustrations. Mucha’s posters often feature wavy-haired women.
Art Deco
There are many different styles of Art Deco poster illustrations. While the designs were sleek and sophisticated, they also reflected the dynamism and power of the era. Examples of these posters include the designs by A.M. Cassandre, who favored geometric shapes and believed that the image should be in perfect harmony with the words. Cassandre also defined the poster as a means of communication between the seller and the public. He wished to make his posters as clear and concise as possible, so that the message could be communicated clearly.
Art Nouveau revival
Many people have wondered about the origins of Art Nouveau posters. The French version of the style was first popularized by artists like Eugene Grasset, a Franco-Swiss artist. He first entered the graphic arts world in 1877, creating postcards, postage stamps, and jewelry. Then, in the 1880s, he turned his attention to poster illustrations and created an exceptional series of advertising posters and book illustrations. Some of his most famous posters feature a woman with fiery hair, a laurel wreath, and a harp.
German Plakatstil
Artists of the German Plakatstil style include Ludwig Hohwehweh and Lucian Bernhard. These artists worked for Hollerbaum und Schmidt, an art printing company. Both were prominent in the Plakatstil movement, but they were not directly associated with the school or art movement. However, they did use striking colors and bold lettering to create recognizable posters. These artists often created posters that were more modern in style than those of their contemporaries.
Post Modern style
The Swiss-based design group Weingart fulfilled this playful design principle by transferring the typesetting process from metal to photographic systems. This style featured layered compositions, irregular borders, and abstract images that communicated to the largely illiterate public. They also added a playful element to the typesetting process by introducing photomontage and halftone dot screens, as well as using unconventional typographic techniques and compositions. Posters by Weingart are full of energy and creativity.
Contemporary
One of the most famous contemporary artists in Japan, Takashi Murakami has worked in many fields aside from art. His artwork seamlessly blends traditional Japanese painting, manga, and commercial imagery. In addition to using various mediums to illustrate his themes, his work also incorporates characters of his own invention. Whether the character is a fox, a bear, or another creature, his work is full of visual overload.