Page:Picture Posters.djvu/172

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152
PICTURE POSTERS.

but, when reproduced on a larger scale, was found to be thoroughly effective as a poster. More dainty, if not more characteristic of the art of Boutet de Monvel, is the "Pâte Dentifrice du Dr. Pierre." In this design, one of the prettiest and most delightful little ladies in the whole Monvel gallery of pretty little ladies insists on the merit of the tooth-paste which, if it be half as good as she is charming, must be excellent indeed. Every artist knows his own business best, but one can only hope that, in what leisure he can snatch from his work in paint and illustration, Boutet de Monvel will place the collector of posters under new obligations to him. His note as a decorator of the hoardings is as distinct as it is agreeable.

A very interesting figure in modern design is undoubtedly Carloz Schwæbe. One of the leading lights of that curious institution the "Salon Rose + Croix," it would indeed be curious if Schwæbe did anything commonplace. His posters are as remarkable as those other productions with which he has delighted some and puzzled not a few. Mystic, slightly archaic, they are the work of a man of poetical temperament who has chosen the graphic arts instead of literature as his means of expression. The two posters from his hand are very decorative in their strange way, and contain passages of great beauty. In the