Folly or Saintliness - Ethel Reed

Sale price$29.00
Product: Fine Art Poster
Size: A4 (21x29.7 cm)
Frame: -
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Ethel Reed's 'Folly or Saintliness' is a captivating Art Nouveau poster from 1895, featuring a striking woman with a poppy against a bold black and orange backdrop. A perfect statement piece for adding vintage elegance to your home.

Ethel Reed's striking poster, 'Folly or Saintliness', exemplifies the bold aesthetics of the Art Nouveau movement in America during the 1890s. Created in 1895, this lithograph served as an advertisement for José Echegaray's play, showcasing Reed's talent for capturing both visual allure and narrative intrigue. The poster features a woman with auburn hair, adorned with a large poppy, set against a stark black background, framed by an orange border. The flowing lines and stylised floral motifs are characteristic of Art Nouveau, while the composition draws the viewer's eye to the central figure and the play's title. Reed's work is notable for its confident use of colour and simplified forms, reflecting the influence of Japanese prints and the broader aesthetic trends of the era. As a fine art print, 'Folly or Saintliness' brings a touch of vintage elegance and artistic flair to any interior. Its bold colour palette and striking design make it a captivating focal point, ideal for adding character to a living room, study, or hallway. The poster's historical significance and artistic merit ensure it will be a conversation starter and a cherished piece of decor for years to come.

Crafted for a Lifetime

  • Premium materials

    Solid wood frames, UV-protected acrylic glaze, and archival backing for lasting durability.

  • Museum-grade prints

    12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified 200gsm fine art paper, with lifetime fade resistance.

  • Crafted in the UK

    Sustainably sourced materials, precision manufactured locally, reducing carbon footprint.

  • Ready to hang

    Each frame is sealed with rigid backing and fixings attached, no extra effort required.

Crafted for a Lifetime — frame exploded view

Find the finish that fits your home

Select from our premium printing options to bring your artwork to life

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Fine Art Poster

Iconic artworks with vivid colors using giclée fine art 12-color printing technology. Unmatched quality and durability using 200gsm smooth matte paper. Unframed; delivered flat or rolled.

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Museum Quality Poster

Our Master's Edition 250gsm archival paper, in off-white and uncoated, offers museum-quality for art enthusiasts seeking a luxurious way to enjoy world-class artworks.

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Fine Art Framed

The same 200gsm fine art paper and 12-colour giclée process as our museum posters, mounted in a solid wood frame with UV acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Ready to hang.

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Standard Wood Frame

Classic 200gsm premium matte paper with 8-colour giclée printing, set in a durable wooden frame with lightweight acrylic glaze. Ready to hang.

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Canvas

Gallery-wrapped slim canvas, hand-stretched for clean edges. Adds depth and texture for a painterly finish. Delivered ready to hang.

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Framed Canvas

Our premium finish, a richly textured canvas set in an elegant floating wood frame. Combines depth, texture, and craftsmanship for a gallery-worthy presentation. Delivered ready to hang.

What our customers say

Real reviews from real customers

jayne-review-image
Received the beautiful hummingbird print in black frame. Great service, stunning print, I will post a picture when the room is finished. Thank you
Jayne - Yorkshire
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-22 at 17.52.11
Delighted with this print! The colours are extremely vibrant, the imagine crystal clear and beautifully displayed in an attractive frame. Delivery was prompt and securely packaged. Highly recommended and will be using again!
Matt - Rutland
nikki
So pleased with my print and the frame it’s housed in. Fantastic quality and really adds character to the room. Communication was great and it was delivered quicker than estimated. Overall I’m extremely pleased and will recommend to friends. I’m already eying up my next purchase!
Nikki - London
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Beautiful print, great quality and love it with the white frame. Delivery was really fast. I've had loads of compliments from visitors as I've hung it in my hallway as the first thing you see when you enter the house. Couldn't be happier.
Alice - Norfolk

Ethel Reed

Ethel Reed, a name now whispered with a mix of admiration and melancholy, was a blazing comet across the late 19th-century American art scene. Born in 1874, she emerged as a prodigiously talented graphic artist during the poster craze of the 1890s. Her boldly decorative and Symbolist-tinged designs, often featuring striking women and floral motifs, quickly garnered attention. Reed became the first American woman to achieve international recognition in the field of poster design, her works displayed alongside those of masters like Toulouse-Lautrec. At a time when the Art Nouveau movement was captivating Europe and America, Reed put her own unique spin on the style. She was known for her innovative use of colour and composition, and her posters were highly sought after by collectors. Some of her most celebrated works include posters for "The Chap-Book" and "An Arabian Night's Entertainment." Her career, however, was tragically short-lived. Despite her early success, Reed's personal life was marred by turmoil. A failed romance led her to London, where she struggled to maintain her artistic momentum. Ethel Reed's story serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of fame and the challenges faced by women artists in a male-dominated era. Though her output was relatively small, her impact on graphic design remains significant, and her posters continue to enchant viewers with their beauty and originality.