Clinique Cheron 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen likely crafted this advertisement for the Clinique Chéron using lithography, a printmaking technique that allows for bold lines and flat areas of color. This process was a key part of commercial art at the turn of the century, offering a relatively inexpensive way to produce posters. The appeal of lithography lies in its directness. An artist can draw an image on a stone or metal plate, and then use chemical processes to fix the design before printing. This is visible in the poster's energetic lines and the way the black ink defines the forms of the animals. The flat planes of color, achieved through layering the printing process, contribute to the poster's visual impact. Posters like this one depended upon the skilled labor of artisans. They were also tools of modern consumer culture, connecting artistic creativity to commerce. By focusing on the materials and methods behind such images, we can better understand the role of art in shaping everyday life.