MAURICE P. VERNEUIL (1869-1942) LAURÉNOL. 1898. 62 1/2x21 inches, 159x54 cm. Vaugirard, Paris. Condition B+: restored loss and restoration in text; creases and minior tears in margins and image; vertical and horizontal folds. Standing on dark blue lily pads, a lovely woman with flowing orange hair is pouring water from a gray jug. The essence of nature, purity and freshness in this ad for a disinfectant is ubiquitous; from the gorgeous white flowers in the background, to the green floral patterns on the maiden's dress, to the Art Nouveau style of design, so long associated with the decorative representation of the natural world. "The image is laden with ornamental swirls and stylized plant images that fill the picture. The design is also remarkable because of the monumental quality that its strongly vertical design accentuates" (Health p. 154). Verneuil was a student of Grasset's who is best remembered for his monumental work L'Etude de la Plante a book of floral ornamentation that is a key document on French Art Nouveau. His posters are scarce, but here he shows his own excellence as a master of Art Nouveau graphics. Health 197.
