Poster for ‘JOB’ Cigarette Paper

Alphonse Mucha's 1896 Poster for ‘JOB’ Cigarette Paper navigates the tension between aesthetic appeal and the commodification of women. The soft color scheme and swirling lines paradoxically challenge traditional gender norms, reflecting the rise of feminist ideas. Examined within the broader context of nineteenth-century commercialism, the poster captures the uncertainty surrounding women's evolving roles in a commercial and technological society. Mucha, a pioneering figure in the Art Nouveau movement, strategically employs beauty to appeal to the male viewer, reinforcing traditional gender roles while subtly challenging them through iconography. The JOB poster is a nuanced exploration of graphic design's role in the complex societal dynamics of the late nineteenth century.