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1931 |
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Print, Thomson, plate from Arts et Métiers Graphique (Graphic Arts and Crafts), July 15, 1931
This is a Print. It was designed by A. M. Cassandre and printed by Alliance Graphique. It is dated 1931. Its medium is lithograph on paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.
In this print advertisement for the French electric company Thomson, legendary French graphic designer A. M. Cassandre created a simple, clever image based on a linguistic pun. The French main-d’oeuvre domestique translates as domestic labor or household help. By inserting the prefix electro to form the word electro-domestique, Cassandre creates an expression that suggests that household labor and electric household appliances are one and the same. Cassandre conveys this duality through his graphic image of a blue and black hand that is abstractly electrified through a red electrical cord and plug. The resulting electrification is conveyed with a silver star emanating from the tip of each finger. Although the image is largely flat, Cassandre suggests volume in the hand through the use of both blue and black to create form. The name Thomson, which was the French sister company of the American General Electric, is featured on the diagonal axis with the hand. Cassandre uses silver letters for the first syllable (Thom) and red for the second (son). Although the forms of the poster are simple, Cassandre is detailed in his rendering of the electric plug. It bears the logo of Alsthom, another electric company which by 1931 had merged with Thomson.
This object was
donated by
George R. Kravis II.
It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.
- Poster, Power, The Nerve Center of London's Underground
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-45
- Poster, UNIC
- lithograph on paper.
- Gift of Merrill C. Berman in honor of Caitlin Condell.
- 2016-12-1
- Drawing, Study for an Advertisement, "I'll Do Your Washing"
- graphite on paper.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-648-a
Our curators have highlighted 6 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:
- Poster, Stop on India Nonskid Tyres and Feel the Difference
- lithograph on paper.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-79
- Poster, A Better Home
- offset lithograph and screenprint on paper.
- Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. Edward C. Post and from Friends of....
- 1995-106-2
- Drawing, The Electric Light, Study for Manufactures and Liberal Arts...
- charcoal and graphite on cream wove paper.
- Gift of J. Carroll Beckwith.
- 1915-2-2
Its dimensions are
H x W: 26.7 × 17.8 cm (10 1/2 in. × 7 in.) H x W (Mat): 27 × 18.1 cm (10 5/8 × 7 1/8 in.)
Cite this object as
Print, Thomson, plate from Arts et Métiers Graphique (Graphic Arts and Crafts), July 15, 1931; Designed by A. M. Cassandre (French, b. Ukraine, 1901–1968); Printed by Alliance Graphique; lithograph on paper; H x W: 26.7 × 17.8 cm (10 1/2 in. × 7 in.) H x W (Mat): 27 × 18.1 cm (10 5/8 × 7 1/8 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2018-22-43
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s.
