Masterful typography
After Auriol left Le Chat Noir in 1892, he threw himself into colour lithography, becoming one of the most sought-after illustrators of decorative book covers, magazines and sheet music.
With his striking use of typography and monograms, he developed an art form that was highly personal and expressive. In so doing, he frequently enhanced the work of other artists, including the artist’s book Les trente-six vues de la tour Eiffel by his teacher Henri Rivière.
George Auriol, Menu Chat Noir, 1899
Henri Rivière, From the Rue Rochechouart (De la rue Rochechouart), 1902
Organic ornamentation
Auriol’s illustrations and graphic designs incorporate numerous forms drawn from nature and are heavily influenced by Japanese art. Many artists and critics saw a parallels between the decorative character of his work and the emerging Art Nouveau movement. The comparison annoyed Auriol intensely, however, as he criticised and mocked the new style.
George Auriol, Theatre programme for Ménages d'artistes by Eugène Brieux and Le maître by Jean Jullien (Théâtre Libre, 21 March 1890), 1889
Further reading
- Armond Fields, George Auriol, Layton 1895
- Arsène Alexandre, ‘George Auriol’, Art et décoration, pp. 161-180
- George Auriol, Roger Marx, Le Premier Livre des cachets, marques et
monogrammes dessinés par Georges Auriol, Paris 1901