JOB Cigarette Paper (Papier JOB Cigarette)

Alphonse Mucha’s 1898 poster for JOB cigarette rolling papers conveys its message simply and elegantly. The product’s name, JOB, stretches across the top, appears on the black packet in the woman’s left hand and is repeated in the overall diamond pattern of the background. Smoke wafts seductively from the cigarette in the woman’s right hand, its curves echoing those of her body and flowing, raven hair. Her red hair ornaments and fiery gown suggest passion. Mucha’s poster advertises by creating desire and promising pleasure.

In 1838, Jean Bardou invented and marketed booklets of thin, pure rice, cigarette rolling papers. The public read Bardou’s trademark (his initials “JB” separated by a diamond) as JOB. Michelangelo’s sibyls from the Sistine Chapel ceiling were the inspiration for Mucha’s woman.