Vintage Lithograph Les Paradis artificiels Meunier Art Deco Retro Female Nude

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This antique lithograph depicts a female nude scene in a delicate and refined style, characteristic of early 20th-century graphic art. The work, titled "Les Paradis artificiels (Sweet Ecstasy)," is signed "Meunier" in the upper left. The composition shows a red-haired woman, nude, seated on an armchair covered with pale yellow fabric, draped with a light veil featuring pastel blue and green floral patterns. She adopts a languid pose, with her arm raised behind her head, her gaze directed towards the viewer, and a purple flower in her hair. To her right, a stylized incense burner releases a wisp of smoke, enhancing the dreamlike and sensual atmosphere of the scene.

The drawing stands out for its fine lines and subtle watercolor hues. The cream background highlights the main figure without excessive ornamentation, typical of the Art Deco style. The blue typography at the bottom of the image indicates the title, accompanied by the English translation "Sweet Ecstasy," and specifies the artist "Par Sus. Meunier." The inscription "Eros Février 1921" is also visible in the lower left, suggesting a publication or edition dated from this period.

The lithograph is presented on a sheet with untrimmed edges, showing visible folds and curves, particularly on the sides and in the upper corners. The paper exhibits some stains and signs of age, attesting to its authenticity and antiquity. No frame or mounting is visible in the photo.

The overall impression evokes the retro aesthetic and the tradition of refined erotic images from the early 20th century. The details of the furniture (tufted armchair, oriental-inspired incense burner) reinforce the decorative and exotic character of the scene, in line with the title which refers to artificial paradises, a literary and artistic theme of the era.

The signature "Meunier" and the mention "Eros" may indicate a specialized publication or a limited print run, common in artistic editions of the Art Deco period. The work is part of the tradition of French artistic lithographs, appreciated for the quality of their printing and their evocative power.

Condition

Used item sold as is: the lithograph shows folds, undulations, slight stains, and visible signs of age on the paper. The edges are irregular and unframed. The print quality remains good, with well-preserved colors and sharp details.

Did you know? Lithography was one of the most popular printing techniques for disseminating graphic art at the turn of the 20th century. The Art Deco movement, born in the 1910s-1920s, strongly influenced the representation of the female nude, favoring clean lines, pastel colors, and refined atmospheres, as seen here with Meunier's work.

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Keywords: Art Deco lithograph, antique print, retro female nude, vintage erotic poster, Meunier illustration, Les Paradis artificiels, 1920s graphic art, antique eroticism, sweet ecstasy print, decorative poster, antique French print, lithograph art