La forge Roussel 1884

This is the title page for "La Forge Roussel" by Edmond Picard, a print with a publication date of 1884. The page is dominated by a stark, off-white field, a minimalist canvas upon which textual and decorative elements are sparsely arranged. The title, author, and publisher are all presented in different typographic styles, creating a hierarchy of information. A delicate, ornate vignette, seemingly floral, provides a focal point. This serves as a classical counterpoint to the industrial subject matter alluded to in the title. The paper’s texture, visible along the right edge, adds a tactile quality, subtly disrupting the pristine surface. The print invites us to consider the interplay between text and image, industry and artistry. The structured layout and precise typography communicate information, yet the classical vignette and textured paper hint at a deeper artistic context. This print is not merely a title page but also a carefully constructed artifact of its time.