Saxoléine pétrole de sureté 1894

This vibrant and iconic 1894 lithographic poster by Jules Chéret, the celebrated pioneer of French advertising art, was created to promote Saxoléine, a household petroleum product marketed as extra white, deodorized, and non-flammable—an innovation in home lighting safety at the turn of the century.

The artwork bursts with Chéret’s signature energy and joie de vivre. A lively red-haired woman, wrapped in a flowing yellow dress, animatedly adjusts the flame on a glowing oil lamp. Her swirling posture and bright expression embody Chéret’s ideal of the modern Parisienne: confident, stylish, and radiant. The lamp’s soft glow contrasts beautifully with the deep shadows of the background, drawing the viewer's eye to both the elegance of the subject and the promise of safe illumination.

Chéret was a master of the three-stone lithographic process, which allowed him to blend brilliant colors with fluid movement—a technique that revolutionized poster art. His work helped elevate commercial lithography into a respected art form and made the walls of Paris a gallery for all. This particular poster was also included in Les Maîtres de l’Affiche (Plate 13), a prestigious series celebrating the finest examples of poster art from the era.

As a piece of design history, this poster stands as a testament not only to Chéret’s artistic influence but also to a moment when visual culture and industrial innovation met in spectacular fashion. Collectors and enthusiasts of Belle Époque design, early 20th-century advertising, or Chéret’s legendary body of work will recognize in this poster both charm and significance.

Energy - Advertising - France

The masters of posters Pl.13

Printed by Chaix

Good condition, slight dirt