Granted, the advertised product is a simple gas fixture, but the design makes this one of the most important—and most beautiful—early Italian Art Nouveau posters. The (admittedly, scantily clad) femme at center presents a sunflower in one hand while gesturing towards the magnificent levitating gas lamp with the other. Mataloni has imbued the image with intricate details, including the geometric tiled background, the organic elements wrapping around the border, and the mosaic-like texture of the upper register. This two-sheet design is a masterpiece of Italian poster art.
Instituto Cartografico Italiano, Roma
literature: Menegazzi-I, p. 330; Menegazzi-II, p. 129; Hillier, p. 213; Timeless Images, p. 65; Weill, p. 135; Livre d’Affiche, p. 21; Reims, p. 1579; Italia Che Cambia, p. 28; Masters 1900, p. 126; PAI-XCIII, 284