Aphrodite – In the Gardens of the Goddess – Charles Martin (1914) – Art Deco Poster Print

Charles Martin creates an elegant, theatrical vision of antiquity in Aphrodite – Dans les jardins de la Deesse. A procession of slender, stylized figures moves through an imagined garden beneath a richly ornamental canopy, their costumes drawing on classical and Egyptian-inspired forms while embracing the heightened sophistication of early twentieth-century fashion. Pale draped garments, geometric tunics, pleated robes, and vivid accents of violet, turquoise, and black create a carefully balanced procession across the horizontal composition. The dark cypress-like trees and distant architectural forms provide a dramatic backdrop, while the floral canopy frames the scene like an elaborate stage curtain.

The work’s flattened perspective, elongated figures, rhythmic silhouettes, and restrained but highly decorative palette reveal Martin’s emerging graphic vocabulary. Rather than attempting historical reconstruction, the image transforms antiquity into a stylized modern fantasy, bringing together theatrical costume, fashion illustration, and decorative design. The scene was created for the Theatre de la Renaissance production of Aphrodite, a play by Pierre Frondaie adapted from Pierre Louys’s novel, with sets by Ronsin and costumes by Paul Poiret. Published in La Gazette du Bon Ton in May 1914, it stands at an especially interesting point between the decorative traditions of the Belle Époque and the streamlined aesthetic that would develop into Art Deco.

 

🖨️ Print features:

– Made with museum-grade archival paper for excellent printing fidelity and vibrant color reproduction

– Paper weight: 189 g/m2

– For indoor use only

– Care instructions: If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.

– Please note: Due to the production process of these posters, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/16″

 

🚚 Fulfillment, Shipping, and Return Policy:

– Printed and shipped from the U.S.

– Ships in a sturdy mailing tube, frame not included

– As our items are unique and made to order, we can only accept a return or exchange in the event that an item arrives damaged or misprinted. We cannot accept returns if you order the wrong size or change your mind. Any return requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the order.

 

💬 Questions? Looking for something else, or want something in a different size? Feel free to reach out anytime; we’ll see what we can do!