Budapest Poster Gallery

2nd auction | posters and poster designs

126 x 95 cm. Near mint, restored.

Mihály Oláh Gyárfás was the owner of Gambrinus Restaurant and also the founder of Astra Shareholder Group. All his wealth was invested in film making. The restaurant was in Budapest downtown. On photos from the 1910s, the owner of the restaurant can be seen, having fun with gypsy musicians at his place. It was a nice venue, named after its famous beer: ‘Gambrinus ale-house’.
‘Gambrinus’ is the vernacular of János I., who was living in the 13th century. He was known as the patron saint of beer: according to the legend, he drank 388 pints of beer.
The poster of Géza Faragó was designed for a special night held in the middle of the 1920s. The event probably took place at early spring, since the subtitle is ‘Violet night’, and the small purple flowers decorate the head of the lady at the ball. It must have been a masquerade, where ladies were supposed to wear an evening dress and a mask and men were supposed to wear tail coat.
The poster of Faragó bears the characteristics of the most popular style of the 1910s, Art Nouveau. The old-fashioned feeling is even enhanced by the massive amount of text placed on the piece, thus we get to know details regarding the event. As a contrast to the old-fashioned style, Faragó’s figures represent the modern fashion: the short hair of the lady, the headpiece, the backless evening dress worn without a corset all reflect the 1920s fashion. The poster has the subtle charm typical of Faragó’s art. The drawn composition is formed by the nicely cambered lines. The picture is very detailed with carefully drawn figures. The rhythm of the composition is given by the playfulness of the gentle pastel colours and strong blacks. The girl between the two men coquettishly glances at the audience, inviting him to take part in the treat. This idea - the wanton and bohemian nightlife in Pest -is the real world of Géza Faragó.
(Anikó Katona)