Carnivals, Cognac, and Cycling
During the period spanning the turn of the century, Paris, one of the most vibrant cities in the world, experienced an explosion in print media. Now-familiar artists – Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, and others – made names for themselves producing ephemera such as posters, journal illustrations, theatre programs, and advertisements. Drawn from the Robert L. Haskins and Erwin A. Raible Collection of Fin-de-Siécle Prints in the GVSU Print and Drawing Cabinet, Carnivals, Cognac and Cycling provides a view into the visual culture of late nineteenth century France, with special attention given to entertainment, advertising, and popular activities in Paris.
Over the 2019 winter semester (January-April), fourteen GVSU students conducted research for this exhibition in the Modern Art and Modernity course, taught by Assistant Professor Ellen Adams (Art Gallery/Frederik Meijer Honors College). Each student “adopted” one work of art for in-depth study, produced original research, and presented their findings to their classmates and now to the university as a whole.
![Woman with flowing skirt dancing while people in shadow watch. Man in shadow in foreground.](/cms4/asset/C25434A5-9BBA-8FFC-12E90B719B75A834/2008_487_228_detail[1562099759].jpg)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Moulin Rouge Bal Tous Les Soirs La Goulue, 1896, color lithograph on paper
2008.487.228
![three men on bikes in blue uniforms racing across beach](/cms4/asset/C25434A5-9BBA-8FFC-12E90B719B75A834/2008_487_230_detail[1562099914].jpg)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, La Chaîne Simpson (detail), 1896, color lithograph, 2008.487.230
![fan with lithographic print of woman with flowers in her long, orange hair next to text that reads "Grands Magasins de Nouveautes"](/cms4/asset/C25434A5-9BBA-8FFC-12E90B719B75A834/2008_487_77[1561574204].jpg)
Fernand Toussaint, Grand Magasins de Nouveautes (detail), 1895, Lithographic Promotional Fan, 2008.487.77
![Woman with closed eyes holding fan and glass of champagne in front of yellow background and below text that reads "France Champagne"](/cms4/asset/C25434A5-9BBA-8FFC-12E90B719B75A834/2008_487_212_detail[1562100386].jpg)
Pierre Bonnard, France Champagne (detail), 1891, color lithograph poster, 2008.487.212
Resources
To learn more about the history of artwork in 19th century France check out these resources:
- Check out our learning module about Fin de Siecle French prints
- See more French Prints in the Art Collection database
- View the Art Gallery's previous exhibition, Les Nabis: French Prophets of Modern Art, A Selection from the Robert L. Hoskins and Erwin A. Raible Collection of Fin de Sicle French Prints. A Gift of Elaine Rutowski Shay
![Color lithographic of man speaking to and blowing smoke at woman in yellow dress. She looks angry and is clenching her fist.](/cms4/asset/C25434A5-9BBA-8FFC-12E90B719B75A834/img_5028[1561575178].jpg)
Tancréde Synave, Mlle Fifi (detail), 1895, color lithograph, 2008.487.104
Location:
November 2, 2020 - March 5, 2021
Eberhard Gallery
L.V. Eberhard Center
301 W Fulton St
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Gallery hours are reflective of Eberhard Center, including changes made due to semester, holiday, or campus-wide event.
Contact
For special accommodation, please call:
(616) 331-2563
For exhibition details and media inquires, please email:
Joel Zwart, Curator of Exhibitions
[email protected]
For learning and engagement opportunities, please email [email protected].