Sarah Bernhardt – Amsterdam Performances BEGGARSTAFF BROS William Nicholson & James Pryde ORIGINAL 1897 RARE !

Sarah Bernhardt – Amsterdam Performances BEGGARSTAFF BROS William Nicholson & James Pryde ORIGINAL 1897

The Sarah Bernhardt poster designed by the Beggarstaff Brothers (William Nicholson and James Pryde) in 1897 is one of the most iconic and rare examples of late 19th-century poster design. Created for Bernhardt’s Amsterdam performances that October, it showcases the Beggarstaffs’ groundbreaking minimalist style—marked by bold silhouettes, flat colors, and graphic restraint that stood in contrast to the ornate Art Nouveau designs of the time. Printed as a stone lithograph, the poster is relatively small in size but highly prized for its historical significance, visual impact, and rarity. It remains a sought-after collector’s item which has sold at auction in NYC for $3500 !

Details

• Title: Sarah Bernhardt – Amsterdam Performances
• Artists: Beggarstaff Brothers (William Nicholson & James Pryde)
• Date: 1897
• Printing Method: Original stone lithography
• Dimensions: Approx. 10.75″ × 10.25″
• Design: Minimalist silhouette of Bernhardt; bold, graphic aesthetic
• Occasion: Created for Bernhardt’s 1897 tour at the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam
• Notable performances included: La Dame aux Camélias, La Tosca, Phèdre, Fedora
• Condition: Excellent (Grade A), untrimmed and unrestored