Meyer Fine Art will present its 7th Annual Vintage Poster Exhibit, in conjunction with NoLi Natale at a special reception on November 29th from noon until 8:00pm. The exhibit is featuring original first and second printings of Italian and European lithographs by prominent poster artists and will continue until December 6th.
“This is an open event to the neighborhood and neighboring businesses, the community and tourists,” said Perry Meyer, owner and private dealer for this popular exhibition. According to Meyer, who has been an art dealer for over 30 years, specializing in 18th century to contemporary original graphics, limited edition prints and other works on paper, “People buy posters for apartments, homes for decorating, and for gifts to others.”
He and wife, Kathi, acquired their public gallery space in June 2006, which is located in the thriving Art and Design District of Little Italy, in the historical Studio Arts Building at 2400 Kettner Boulevard.
The Meyers excitedly point out that “this is a show for the whole neighborhood and will be presented as an Art Walk.” They explained that businesses that will participate will put out a map on the internet, as well as distribute 7th Annual Vintage Poster Exhibit postcards.
“We will be displaying all original posters, from 1940 through 1997,” explained Meyer, adding that many others were destroyed in Milan due to the war and bombings. “We have lithographs by prominent poster artists such as Boccasile and Razzia, just to mention a few,” said Perry.
Born in Bari, Italy, in 1950, Boccasile later moved to Milan. Despite some initial difficulties, he eventually gained a post at the Mauzan-Morzenti Agency. Over the next few years he produced posters, illustrated fashion magazines and gained fame for his sensuous renderings of the female form. Of special note is his poster of Olio Radino, which is being displayed for this show.
Razzia is probably better known by his real name, Gérard Courbouleix–Dénériaz, a French graphic artist born in 1950. He is also known as one of the last poster artists to remain among other artists who work with computer-generated images, still doing unique posters from original paintings, as opposed to computer graphics. His work has been described as Art Deco, and is known for his work for Louis Vuitton. His poster, An Al Dente Brothers Production, will be on display at the gallery.
Italian posters date as far back as the 1800s, according to the Meyers. “Production media began with stone lithography, and was later replaced with photo offset and silkscreen processes,” according to the gallery owners, who have a display of an original stone block in the gallery. “The posters were only intended to be used to display advertising for beverages, foods, travel, cars and sports; and to be displayed for a short period of time. They were continually being replaced with newer images. Posters were pasted on buildings, walls and fences, and streets became dynamic art galleries.”
As the art work improved, many attractive lithographs were quickly seized, but owing to the thin paper on which they were produced, many were lost to the elements. Today’s posters, those that survived in good condition, have become eagerly sought after by knowledgeable collectors. These prized posters have become valuable collector’s items with prices being based on rarity, condition and demand of the posters. The Meyers state that posters from 1895 to 1940, long undervalued and neglected, are experiencing a renaissance for collecting these graphic art forms.
“In addition to offering these original and limited edition prints, we provide a full art consulting service to people coming into the show,” said the Meyers. “In addition to our displays, Kathi and I have a modest collection,” explained the gallery owner.
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