Studio: international art (5.1895)

Another Word on the Poster

feel that they have had a surfeit of the butterfly-
hued nymphs of Cheret and Sinet.

A poster in this same style is reproduced here-
with. It was done as an experiment when
Becket had nearly run its course. It was too
late for advertising purposes, but was acquired by
Miss Ellen Terry, who has kindly consented to our
reproducing it. It must be confessed that the
hand and arm are somewhat out of drawing, but the
whole effect is very successful. There are but four
colours in this design, the figure being built up

DESIGN FOR A PO

on a foundation of brown paper. This indeed is
the method adopted in all the " Beggarstaff"
designs. The Girl Reading is probably the best
of all their efforts. The white dress is admirably
contrasted with the black hat and gloves, and the
whole charmingly relieved by the red stripes of
the couch, and the cover of the book in the same
colour.

The maximum number of colours used in these
designs is four, and the results attained therewith
216

are clever in the extreme. The principal figure is
generally silhouetted against a bright background :
indeed, it may be truthfully said that the " Messrs.
Beggarstaff" have perfected in their designs the
use of the silhouette. They know exactly how far
to carry it, and the precise moment to introduce
the relieving patch of light and colour. This was
admirably seen in a design for a poster for candles :
the figure of a girl holding a candlestick stood
boldly out in black against a yellow background,
which was still further broken by the heavy shadow
of the girl. This arrangement
has been repeated in a poster
which a Glasgow firm has adopted
for the advertising of its wares.
Again the figure is that of a girl,
with hat and dress of black, placed
in profile against a background of
yellow : the white face being cun-
ningly relieved with a touch of
red to indicate the lips. On her
arm the girl carries a basket of
the same colour as the back-
ground, outlined in white. It is a
characteristic " Beggarstaff" pos-
ter, and should answer its purpose
most successfully.

The London hoardings will
probably soon bear one of these
productions to serve as a contrast
to the usually garish advertise-
ments issued in connection with
our theatrical announcements,
while another one recently de-
signed by them for Harper's Maga-
zine will also shortly make its ap-
pearance ; and there is not the
slightest doubt that the comparison
will but serve to emphasise the
opinion here expressed of the
artistic qualities of the Beggarstaff
designs. The Don Quixote poster
here reproduced will serve to
show that the artists can impart a
dignity to their work not usually associated with
our hoardings, and it is only to be hoped that we
may see many of their designs figuring on our
blank walls. This is an age of utilitarianism, and
all encouragement should be given to any efforts to
introduce an artistic leaven wherewith to gladden
our ledger-wearied eyes, and brighten the dull
monotony of our streets and the depressing ragged-
ness of our hoardings.

Arthur Fish.