This circa 1900 original poster by Firmin Bouisset, titled Jeune fille à la tresse dans un décor de feuillages, is a delicate and enchanting example of early Art Nouveau design. It features a young girl with a long, braided tress, softly framed by an intricate arrangement of flowering vines and curling tendrils. The composition celebrates natural elegance and youthful innocence, rendered in a palette of muted greens, soft ochres, and subtle pinks that perfectly evoke the organic fluidity central to the Art Nouveau style.
The girl's face is expressive yet calm, surrounded by winding ivy and stylized morning glory blooms that form a dreamlike halo. Her thoughtful gaze and slightly parted lips give the image an air of contemplative intimacy. Every line in the foliage is a study in decorative rhythm — the vines weaving in and out of themselves with a lyrical grace reminiscent of stained glass or illuminated manuscripts.
Firmin Bouisset (1859–1925) was a renowned French illustrator and poster artist, perhaps best known for his charming depictions of children. His work often bridged the worlds of commercial advertising and fine art, and he played a significant role in shaping the visual identity of several major brands during the Belle Époque — including Lu biscuits and Chocolat Menier. Unlike the more theatrical posters of his contemporaries, Bouisset’s compositions were often tender and humanizing, emphasizing gentleness over spectacle.
In this poster, Bouisset turns away from branding to explore a more decorative, almost lyrical composition — one that aligns with the era’s embrace of nature, emotion, and aesthetic beauty. It is a poetic piece, capturing a fleeting moment of innocence, wrapped in an endless embrace of botanical elegance.
Childhood - France
Enhanced with gold
Printed by F. Hermet in Paris
Good condition, slight scratches
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