Eugène Grasset: One of the Pioneers of Art Nouveau

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Eugène Grasset (1845–1917) was a Swiss-born French decorative artist who became one of the pioneers of the Art Nouveau movement in France. Originally trained as an architect and sculptor in Lausanne, he moved to Paris in the 1870s and built a versatile career spanning graphic design, illustration, furniture, stained glass, and decorative arts.

Grasset is best remembered for his elegant posters, book illustrations, and ornamental designs, which combined medieval and Japanese influences with a distinctly modern aesthetic. His use of flowing lines, stylized natural motifs, and harmonious color palettes made him a leading figure in fin-de-siècle Paris.

As a teacher at the École Guérin and later at the École Estienne, Grasset influenced a generation of artists and designers, including many who helped define Art Nouveau. His work bridged traditional craftsmanship and modern design, leaving a legacy that shaped not only poster art but also the decorative vocabulary of the early 20th century.

Below is a collection of posters illustrated by Eugène Grasset in the late 19th century.