RICHARD NICOLAÜS ROLAND-HOLST (1868-1938) MARSYAS OF DE BETOOVERDE BRON. 1910. 40 3/8x29 3/8 inches. Condition B+: minor staining, losses, tears and creases in margins and image. Japan. Roland-Holst, both a designer and decorator, was the undisputed champion of Art Nouveau in Holland. He ultimately became the director of the Rijks Akademie in Amsterdam. Of the 16 posters he designed during his career, 9 were for the theatre. This musical comedy was performed at the same theatre and under the same direction as Lucifer (see Swann Modernist Poster aucion # 2006, lot 8). For both productions, Roland-Holst not only designed the poster but is also credited with the stage design. This is an unusual piece for Roland-Holst as his posters are normally built around strict vertical symmetry with characters placed in the center of the image. Here, the center is empty and the faun and the waterfall have been pushed to the borders. It is a very daring concept and one of his rarest posters. History Dutch Poster 111.
