The Sarasota Art Museum is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Art Deco movement with a major exhibition titled "Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration." The show features 100 rare advertising posters from the William W. Crouse Collection, many of which are the only surviving copies of their kind. The display is augmented by Prohibition-era barware and period furniture on loan from the Wolfsonian-FIU, providing a comprehensive look at the visual culture of the 1920s and 1930s.
This exhibition is significant for transitioning ephemeral commercial graphic design into a fine art museum context, highlighting the historical importance of early master graphic designers. By bringing these works out of a private residence and into the public sphere, the museum offers a rare opportunity to view high-quality examples of a movement that defined modern aesthetics. The inclusion of recognizable brands like Bugatti and the London Underground underscores the lasting impact of Art Deco on global branding and industrial design.