Pauvre Pierrot. engraving.
Paris: c. 1885. Print. A print by the famed illustrator Adolphe WIillette (1857-1926). This print includes the moon, a pierrot on his knees looking at a flower with a bee hovering, and the Willette printed signature in the lower left corner. This image has been reproduced on advertising posters.
Willette (1857-1926) was a French caricaturist, painter, lithographer and architect of the Moulin Rouge, whose many works in the illustrated press (Le Pied de Nez, le Courier Francais and Le Rire) often appeared under various pseudonyms. He was active during the Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau period, and was a member of the Cornet Society, a group of artists, musicians, writers, academics and playwrights who gathered at various restaurants around Montmartre. Known for his lithographs, posters, paintings and illustrations, Willette was called the "Pierrot of Montmartre" because of his fascination with this comedia del'arte character. Willette's famous 'Parce Domine' painting (with many Pierrot figures) first decorated the Montmartre cabaret Le Chat Noir; it is now at the Montmartre Museum. Willette also contributed posters to Masters of the Poster (Maitres de l'Affiche).
9 3/4 x 12 3/4", on brown paper, original folds. Very good condition. Item #27098
Price: $75.00