The century magazine for June 1896

Louis Rhead designed this poster to advertise the June issue of The Century Magazine. The image was made with lithography, a printing technique that was widely used to produce posters and other commercial graphics in the late 19th century. The material qualities of the poster – its smooth surface and bold, flat colors – contribute to its striking appearance. The making of lithographs involves drawing an image with a greasy crayon on a flat stone or metal plate, which is then treated with chemicals to create a printing surface. It's a skilled process that demands precision and control. The poster reflects the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the value of handcraftsmanship and the beauty of natural forms, though applied here to a new kind of product. Rhead’s design also draws on the visual language of Art Nouveau, with its flowing lines and stylized floral motifs. These posters, widely disseminated, gave a fashionable veneer to the act of consumption. By attending to the materiality and making of this poster, we can better understand its cultural significance.