Both an important figure in the history of Modern art as well as a staple of bohemian society at the turn of the century, Villon dabbled in everything from Cubism to illustration to printmaking. Creating only about six posters in his lifetime, they stand out from the rest of his oeuvre, showcasing a graceful drawing style and a sensitive expression of character. In this exceptionally rare image by the artist, we catch an auburn-haired sophisticate in the midst of primping herself. Seated before her morning toilet, she is putting on the finishing touches to her look before facing the world. Despite all this detail, the actual product being advertised remains a mystery—the term “anti-bélier” has no known meaning that would match the image (today, it is used to describe a very specific type of plumbing). This leaves us to speculate that it is either a hair detangler (“bélier” is a wool-bearing mammal, similar to a sheep, which was often compared to unruly hair), or possibly even the atomizer before her (the word “atomizer” did not yet exist, but, as mentioned, the term used here is a type of pump). Despite the ambiguous product, the poster itself is simply exquisite, and a gorgeous homage to beauty for beauty’s sake.
Imp. d’Art Malfeyt, Paris
literature: Villon, 34; PAI-XCII, 390