Jeanne d’Arc-Sarah Bernhardt 1889 - 1894

Eugène Grasset made this poster of Sarah Bernhardt as Joan of Arc using color lithography. It was a relatively new technique at the time, which allowed for the mass production of images. Here, the flat planes of color draw your eye to the textures and motifs of the fabrics and armor. Notice the repetition of patterns, achieved efficiently through lithographic printing. In a time before digital media, this allowed for widespread dissemination of a very specific image: Bernhardt as a strong national figure. This contrasts with the artisanal process of theater itself, in which each performance is a unique handmade event. The poster uses modern means to promote a very old kind of making. Grasset’s poster is a reminder that materials, making, and context are all crucial for a full understanding of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.