French posters at center of exhibition

The 1893 lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, "Divan Japonais," is part of the Zimmerli exhibition, which opens Saturday in New Brunswick.

NEW BRUNSWICK - The Zimmerli Art Museum recently opened the largest and most comprehensive exhibition to date dealing with French posters from the early 19th century Romantic period to the Art Nouveau style of nearly a century later.

"The Zimmerli's well-known collection of French posters and related graphic art of the late 19th century is one of the museum's most significant resources," said Director Gregory Perry. "With the addition of work by major but less familiar artists from Belgium and Spain, this exhibition will enhance the appreciation of viewers of the scope and impact of the poster aesthetic in Europe."

The exhibition, titled "Toulouse-Lautrec and the French Imprint: Fin-de-sicle Posters in Paris, Brussels, and Barcelona," is taking place in the museum's Voorhees Special Exhibition Galleries starting earlier this month and running through Feb. 18.

"Toulouse-Lautrec and the French Imprint" is derived primarily from the Zimmerli's extensive holdings of posters, which is one of the largest in the United States.

The exhibition features 15 works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, including his large 1891 poster for the Moulin Rouge, as well as the chief work of the other leading poster artists working in Paris, such as Jules Chéret and Alphonse Mucha.

In addition, 46 rare works are on loan from the private Parisian collection of the descendants of Edmond Sagot, who is considered the most prominent and influential poster dealer of the period. This will be the first time since the end of the 19th century that most of these posters from the Sagot collection have been on public view together.

In addition to posters, the exhibition includes a number of gouache and watercolor maquettes for posters; lavishly printed Art Nouveau-period French and Belgian color lithographic programs for theater, circus and café-concert performances; and advertisements for a variety of products.

A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

The Zimmerli Art Museum is located at 71 Hamilton St. on the College Avenue campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Admission is $3 for adults, and free for museum members, Rutgers students and faculty, and children under 18. Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month. For more information, call (732) 932-7237, ext. 610.