Café Jacqmotte. 1896.

ARTIST: FERNAND TOUSSAINT (1873-1955) SIZE: 13 1/4 x 17 1/2 in./33.5 x 44.4 cm PRINTER: O. de Rycker, Bruxelles DESCRIPTION: Toussaint created posters as well as portraits, and this is decidedly his best one. The design’s rich colors and strong contrasts do for coffee what Mucha’s tousled hair did for cigarette rolling papers. Barely touching her cup and saucer, the serene woman stares curiously at the steaming beverage. Her dress curls into the walls, her hair into the lettering, creating an overall sense of warmth and dreaminess. Hats—outlandish or merely fashionable—feature prominently in all his paintings. This is the extremely rare smaller format, used as an indoor display. (Art Nouveau; Food/Drink)