Job Cigarette Rolling Papers Poster
(0000-1099)

by Manuel Orazi

Beautiful Art Nouveau woman takes a puff of a cigarette.

Job, a manufacturer of rolling paper that later ventured into all-out cigarette production, always turned to the greatest poster artist of the time to promote their smoldering output - Jane Atche Bouisset, Cappiello, Cheret, Meunier and, of course, Mucha. But none of these premier posterists created a design so rare, so exquisite, that only one known copy remains in existence - and that version would be on silk no less! No, that distinct honor would fall to Orazi, an accomplished painter, illustrator and designer, for whom exotic themes were a specialty. And it is indeed nearly the one he presents us with here. Byzantinely arrayed and cool as an ornate cucumber, this princess puffer exudes refinement and excess, an inspired combination for addictive advertising. The Art Nouveau background - an element that frequently rivals the primary focus - against which she indulges herself can't even compare with the ensemble which Orazi has chosen for her - a jewel-encrusted shift the may as well be armor for all its baubles, the earrings that defy accessorized plausibility and the peacock chapeau, an item to which word should not be applied. Unbelievable! Extremely Rare!