Adolf Hohenstein

Adolf Hohenstein
(1854–1924)

Poster for the original production of La Bohème

Milan: Officine Grafiche Ricordi, 1895

Lithograph
101.6 x 66 cm

James Fuld Collection

Item description: 

In 1874 the firm of Ricordi established an in-house printing operation to promote its music. Adolf Hohenstein, a set designer at La Scala, joined Ricordi in 1889. As its art director, he produced covers for librettos, music scores, posters, playbills, and postcards. A master of the Art Nouveau style, Hohenstein is often referred to as the "father of the Italian poster." Under his direction, a host of graphic designers emerged.