Original stone-lithograph plate issued in 1899 at Imprimerie Chaix (Paris) for Les Maîtres de l’Affiche. This plate (no. 197) presents Adolfo Hohenstein’s celebrated poster for the Italian opera Iris, composed by Pietro Mascagni.
Premiered in Rome in 1898, Iris quickly spread to the great opera houses of Europe, admired for Mascagni’s rich score and exotic subject matter. Hohenstein, often called the “father of Italian poster art,” created the striking visual campaign. His design for Iris blends Symbolist and Art Nouveau influences: a graceful female figure radiates light and mystery, surrounded by decorative motifs that suggest both the opera’s dramatic themes and its lush Orientalist setting.
Les Maîtres de l’Affiche (1895–1900) was a prestigious subscription series directed by Jules Chéret, showcasing small-format original lithographs of the era’s most important posters. Printed at the Chaix atelier on fine wove paper and issued with the blindstamp, these plates brought the leading poster artists of Europe to collectors in a refined format.
Title: Iris (opera by Pietro Mascagni)
Artist: Adolfo Hohenstein (1854–1928)
Date: 1899 (Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, plate no. 197)
Printer: Imprimerie Chaix, Paris
Size: 11.5 × 15.5 inches (approx. 29 × 39 cm)
Print Type: Stone lithograph
Condition: Excellent “A,” near-mint on fine wove paper with blindstamp
Comments: Authentic plate from Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, produced at Chaix under the direction of Jules Chéret. Brilliant impression and vivid color. A rare example of Italian poster design represented in the series, celebrating Hohenstein’s elegant artwork for Mascagni’s Iris.
Artist: Hohenstein Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
A LA PLACE CLICHY BY PEAN FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: Rassenfosse Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
GRANDE BRASSERIE BY RASSENFOSSE FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Jeanne d’Arc – Eugène Grasset, Sarah Bernhardt, Les Affiches Illustrées, 1896 Original Lithograph on linen
Original 1896 lithograph by Eugène Grasset, published in Paris by Imprimerie Chaix as part of the celebrated series Les Affiches Illustrées. This edition features Grasset’s striking design of Jeanne d’Arc, created for Sarah Bernhardt’s legendary stage portrayal. The image presents the saintly figure with halo, armor, and banner, rendered in Grasset’s signature medieval-inspired decorative style that helped define the French Art Nouveau movement.
Les Affiches Illustrées was issued in limited numbers (1,050 copies), each plate showcasing a poster design by leading artists of the 1890s. Grasset’s Jeanne d’Arc remains one of the highlights of the series for its bold imagery and direct connection to Bernhardt’s celebrated role.
This example is preserved in Excellent “A” condition, professionally mounted on linen.
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Details
Title: Jeanne d’Arc (Sarah Bernhardt) – Les Affiches Illustrées
Artist: Eugène Grasset
Date: 1896
Printer: Imprimerie Chaix, Paris
Size: approx. 12 x 16 in / 31 x 41 cm
Print Type: Color lithograph
Linen: On linen
Condition: Excellent “A”
Artist: Rassenfosse Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
Jeanne D’Arc FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Chamonix–Strasbourg was created by Roger Broders in 1926 for the PLM (Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée) railway company to promote travel between the French Alps and Alsace. The design features two women in the traditional dress of their respective regions — the wide-brimmed bow headdress of Strasbourg and the alpine attire of Chamonix — standing against a backdrop that links snow-covered peaks to the architectural landmarks of eastern France.
Broders, one of France’s most celebrated travel poster artists, was known for his bold compositions, clear lines, and rich color palettes. This work reflects his signature style of pairing stylized landscapes with strong graphic design to capture the romance of rail travel in the interwar period.
Printed in Paris by Lucien Serre using lithography, this large-format poster has been mounted on linen for preservation and is in excellent “A” condition.
Title: Chamonix–Strasbourg
Artist: Roger Broders
Date: 1926
Printer: Lucien Serre, Paris
Size: 31 × 42 in / 80 × 107 cm
Print Type: Lithograph
On/Off Linen: On linen
Condition: Excellent “A”
Comments: Issued by PLM to promote travel between the French Alps and Alsace, showing women in traditional costumes from Chamonix and Strasbourg.
PARIS OPERA ROMEO AND JULIETTE BY MARC CHAGALL 1964
Marc Chagall painted the ceiling of the Paris Opera, officially known as the Palais Garnier, in 1963. His work replaced the original design by Jules-Eugène Lenepveu and was unveiled in 1964. The mural spans 2,400 square feet and celebrates famous composers like Mozart, Wagner, and Debussy. Using vivid colors and dreamlike imagery, Chagall created a striking contrast with the opera’s classical architecture. Initially, some critics felt it clashed with the historic setting, but it later became a beloved feature of the opera house.
In 1969, Chagall designed a travel poster for Air France featuring Romeo and Juliet. The artwork shows the lovers floating in an embrace above a colorful landscape, blending fantasy and romance. His deep blues, reds, and yellows create a dreamlike atmosphere, reflecting France’s cultural richness. Today, this poster remains one of the most well-known travel images linked to his work.
Artist: CHAGALL, MARC Printer: MOURLOT IMPRIMERIE Size: 25 x 39″ / 62 x 100 cm On/Off Linen: On Linen Print Technique: stone lithograph Year: 1964 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
PARIS OPERA ROMEO AND JULIETTE BY MARC CHAGALL 1964
Chagall who painted the ceilings of the Paris Opera had this poster take a portion from the ceiling and reproduced it by mourlot a artistic printer who does printing by way of stone lithography rare…
Artist: Olivia Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
ZLATA PRAHA BY OLIVIA FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: MEUNIER Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
BULLIER BY MEUNIER FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: Boano Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
TEATRO REGIO BY BOANO FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: Boano Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16 in / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
SALON DES CENT BY GOTTLOB FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Artist: Gottlob Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16 in / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.