Artwork
Brand
Brand is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Maxime Dethomas. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1895, this lithographic poster by French artist Maxime Dethomas presents a dual‑scene composition that advertises Henrik Ibsen’s drama *Brand*. Rendered in a limited palette of green‑brown and red on wove paper, the work functions as both a visual announcement and a decorative object.
Subject & Meaning
The left panel depicts a nude woman cradling an infant and a small animal against a flat red field, while the right panel shows a clothed woman seated with her back to the viewer, hair flowing freely. The juxtaposition of maternal intimacy and solitary contemplation suggests thematic contrasts within the play, such as innocence versus duty.
Technique & Style
Dethomas employed the lithographic process, drawing directly with greasy media onto a stone or metal plate before transferring the image onto paper. The limited color scheme—green‑brown tones for the figures and bold red for textual elements—creates a stark visual hierarchy typical of late‑19th‑century poster art, balancing illustration with typographic information.
History & Provenance
A member of the Impressionistes et Symbolistes and a founder of the Salon d’Automne, Dethomas was an active participant in Parisian artistic circles. The poster was likely produced for a specific performance of *Brand* in France, featuring a translated text by Count Prozor and a cast list printed in a boxed format, serving as a program‑like advertisement.
Context
During the 1890s, theatrical poster design became a prominent venue for artists to experiment with graphic composition and color. Dethomas’s work reflects this trend, merging fine‑art sensibilities with commercial objectives, and aligns with contemporary efforts to elevate the visual culture surrounding modern drama.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maxime-Pierre Jules Dethomas (French: ; October 13, 1867 – January 21, 1929) was a French painter, draughtsman, printmaker, illustrator, and was among the best known theater-set and costume designers of his era.
