Ages of Man, (Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood, and Old Age), Advertisement Panels for Chocolat Masson/Chocolat Mexican, four color lithographs, c.1897, on wove paper, with a grommet for hanging (as issued), printed by F. Champenois, Paris, with Art Nouveau Style frames, Sheets: 11.8" x 8.5" (approx.), Frames: 22.8" x 19"
Ages of Man, Preparatory Study for Old Age, Watercolor on J. Whatman Turkey Mill Wove Paper, Sheet: 8.8" x 12.3", Sight: 7.3" x 8", Frame: 17" x 19.5"
Masson, a Parisian chocolate manufacturer, had a deep appreciation for Art Nouveau design and relied heavily on its style to promote his products. His two favorite artists, Alphonse Mucha and Eugène Grasset, greatly influenced his branding.
In this series, The Ages of Man, each panel is set within an elaborate frame featuring intricate decorative curves, patterns, and a calendarium displaying three months. The text alternates between Chocolat Masson and Chocolat Mexicain: when one appears prominently at the top of the frame, the other is subtly integrated into the design below.
The imagery follows the journey of life—from childhood through adulthood to old age. Each main figure is accompanied by a woman, depicted as both guardian angel and protectress. Mucha masterfully reinforces the allegorical theme through the backgrounds, where the landscapes symbolize the four seasons, further enriching the narrative of time and transformation.
Rennert/ Weill 47
