FRANZ LASKOFF (FRANCOIS LASKOWSKI, 1869-1921) LA STRAGE DEGLI INNOCENTI. Circa 1900. 57x39 1/2 inches, 145x100 cm. Ricordi, Milan. Condition B+ / B: minor losses and discoloration along sharp vertical and horizontal folds. As a young man Laskoff studied in Strasbourg, Paris and London. It was there that he found the greatest influences on his style, as his work with flat colors was certainly inspired by Aubrey Beardsley and the Beggarstaff Brothers. When he arrived in Italy in 1900 he went straight to work for Ricordi, and began producing exceptional posters for the company's largest accounts. His style is dramatically different from his contemporary counterparts at Ricordi, Adolfo Hohenstein and Leopoldo Metlicovitz. Unlike the exuberant Liberty Style, Laskoff employs minimal outlining and minimal decorative effects, and uses flat colors to design strong images like this one, which is one of the rarest of his music posters. Ricordi 68, Wember 529.
