Edgar – Puccini Opera Poster by Adolf Hohenstein (1889–1905) Vintage Print


A magnificent piece of operatic and graphic history, this poster by Adolfo Hohenstein was created for Giacomo Puccini's opera Edgar — a work with a long and fascinating history, and the production that first truly united the names of Ricordi, Puccini, and Hohenstein in a single artistic vision.


Puccini's Edgar – A Complex Legacy


Edgar was Puccini's second opera, based on Alfred de Musset's verse drama La Coupe et les Lèvres. It premiered at La Scala in Milan on 21 April 1889 to a mixed reception — Puccini himself later called it a blunder, and he revised the opera extensively over subsequent years, producing a third version in 1905. Despite its troubled history, Edgar represents a crucial moment in Puccini's development: the work in which his publisher Giulio Ricordi's faith in him was first truly tested — and proven justified. Hohenstein's poster for this opera stands as a visual testament to that creative relationship, produced in the full glory of his Art Nouveau maturity.


Hohenstein and the World of Italian Opera


As art director at Officine Grafiche Ricordi — the most prestigious music publisher in Italy — Adolfo Hohenstein created the visual identity of Italian opera for an entire generation. His work on Puccini alone included posters and designs for La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Edgar. For La Scala, he also designed stage sets and costumes, making him one of the most complete theatrical visual artists of his era. This poster combines his theatrical understanding with his mastery of the lithographic medium.


A Rare Operatic Treasure


Hohenstein's poster for Edgar is among the rarer items in his operatic catalogue — a powerful image rooted in dramatic storytelling and the bold, organic aesthetics of Stile Liberty.

The poster has been carefully digitally restored by an artist to remove any major signs of wear and tear and to refresh the original colours, retaining the vintage character of the poster.

COPYRIGHT:


For personal use only. You should not physically resell or digitally redistribute the artworks as originals nor as modified.

WHAT YOU WILL GET


You will receive a download link enabling you to access high-resolution JPEG files in multiple print ratios. Your link will expire in 14 days and can be used up to 3 times. Please contact us if you encounter any difficulties.

A 4×5 ratio file for printing 4×5″, 8×10″, 16×20″, 40×50cm.


A 3×4 ratio file for printing 6×8″, 9×12″, 12×16″, 18×24″.


A 2×3 ratio file for printing 4×6″, 6×9″, 8×12″, 10×15″, 12×18″, 16×24″, 20×30″, 24×36″.


An international paper size file for printing 5×7″, A5, A4, A3, A2, A1, 50×70cm.


A file for printing 11″×14″. https://gattoneropubs.com/product/vintage-edgar-puccini-opera-poster-by-adolf-hohenstein-1889-1905-vintage-print/