The Poster

This stunningly illustrated book examines the history of poster design and its relation to the arts and broader culture.

The poster is a versatile marketing tool widely used from the 19th century to today for everything from political events to movies. A good poster has many layers, it goes beyond advertising and makes statements about style, history, fashion, and taste at the time. It is these layers that can turn a poster into a work of art. This book showcases 480 posters by more than 200 artists and designers and tells a comprehensive history of the poster. The book includes Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, Pop art, and contemporary posters from preeminent artists such as Alphonse Mucha, Egon Schiele, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol and from noted designers ranging from Lucian Bernhard and A.M. Cassandre to Saul Bass, Tadanori Yokoo, and Stefan Sagmeister. The book also introduces many other leading poster designers whose names are less well-known. Contemporary advertisements for Calvin Klein, United Colors of Benetton, and Coachella are also explored. By tracing the history of the poster, this book shows social developments throughout the world and illuminates how art styles have changed over time.JÜRGEN DÖRING is Head of the Graphics and Posters Department at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg. He is the author of Lichtenstein Posters and Keith Haring: Posters (both by Prestel).