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Page:Picture Posters.djvu/296

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PICURE POSTERS.

have taken more than a hint from Forain. The designs for posters which Mr. Manuel exhibited at the Westminster Aquarium, if not so distinctive of his talent as his contributions in black and white to "Pick-Me Up," were not without definite merit. Of the three, that catalogued as "A Music-hall Singer" struck me as the best. It should be purchased by Miss Minnie Cunningham, for the likeness between her, and the young lady it represents, if accidental, is marvellous. Among young decorative painters of the day who are not mere imitators of such masters as Sir Edward Burne-Jones or Puvis de Chavannes, but have invented a style for themselves, must be included Mr. Charles Ffoulkes. The two examples of his poster-work here reproduced are as beautiful in colour as they are refined in pattern. Moreover, they proclaim themselves in loud tones. Their tones, however, are those of a silver trumpet rather than those of cymbal or of gong. At times Mr. Ffoulkes forsakes his lofty imaginings and depicts chic young ladies quite in the best French manner. Mr. L. Solon's poster, reproduced here, is a very characteristic example of his decorative style. In inventing it, the artist has clearly kept before him the fact that a poster cannot live by beauty alone; if, happily, there be beauty, there must of necessity be advertisement, else is failure inevitable.