Armand Rassenfosse Biography

Armand Rassenfosse was expected to follow in the footsteps of his father, a prosperous merchant in Liege, pursuing his penchant for drawing and engraving only as a hobby. But on a business trip to Paris, he met Felicien Rops who persuaded him to attend the Academy at Liege; later, the two friends developed together a special varnish that was for a time called "vernis Ropsenfosse." Rassenfosse at first designed small graphic works like ex libris and letterheads, then went on to book illustrations and magazine cover designs. His posters have a directness and simplicity that bring them immediate attention.