Theatre de l’opera Carnaval by Cheret for Les Affiches Illustrees 1894
Original stone-lithograph plate printed circa 1896 at Imprimerie Chaix (Paris) for Les Affiches Illustrées. This reduced-format lithograph reproduces Jules Chéret’s exuberant poster for the 1892 Paris Carnival at the Théâtre de l’Opéra.
The annual Opéra masquerade balls were among the most anticipated events of Belle Époque Paris, drawing fashionable crowds for evenings of music, dance, and masked revelry. Chéret’s design captures the carnival’s spirit of joy and festivity: a central female figure in motion, surrounded by swirling ribbons and celebratory text, rendered in his signature palette of vivid reds, yellows, and blues. As with many of his works, Chéret conveys both the elegance and the playful abandon of Parisian nightlife in the 1890s.
Les Affiches Illustrées (1896–1899) was a pioneering collector’s journal, presenting reduced-format lithographs of important contemporary posters. Produced under Chéret’s supervision at the Chaix atelier, each plate replicated the technique of the original affiche, allowing subscribers to own authentic Belle Époque poster art in a more practical format.
Title: Carnaval 1894 – Théâtre de l’Opéra
Artist: Jules Chéret (1836–1932) Date: c.1896 (after the original 1894 poster) Size: 21.5 × 30 cm (approx. 8.5 × 11.8 in) Print Type: Stone lithograph Condition: Excellent “A,” near-mint on fine wove paper Comments: Authentic plate from Les Affiches Illustrées, produced at Chaix under Chéret. Crisp impression with strong color. A classic Chéret carnival design, celebrating the pageantry and gaiety of the Opéra’s 1894 masquerade ball.
Artist: PAL, Jean de Paleologue Printer: Caby et Chardon, Paris Size: 18 x 24 ” / 47.7 x 61 cm On/Off Linen: On Linen Print Technique: stone lithograph Year: 1890’s Condition & Comments: Excellent
Actually not a publicity for a Bal masque as this art nouveau beauty is putting up a poster for, but a publicity for Caby et Chardon capabilities as Stone lithographers in the 1890’s. Color lithography was relatively new which Jules Cheret had a great hand in, and the delicacy of the work on the stone is evident here in the shading techniques. Truly a wonderful piece of stone lithography. This is the only known copy I have ever seen in 30 years of collecting. Excellent on linen
Original lithograph by Jules Cheret, issued in 1896 for Les Affiches Illustrées, the publication created by Chéret at Imprimerie Chaix to showcase the most important poster designs of the era. This plate reproduces Chéret’s 1894 poster for the Elysée Montmartre, one of Paris’s historic dance halls and entertainment venues. The lively composition and bright palette exemplify Chéret’s ability to capture the movement and atmosphere of Parisian nightlife.
Les Affiches Illustrées was produced during the height of poster collecting (1895–1900), and Chéret supervised the series to ensure faithful stone-lithographic reproductions of the period’s best posters. This example remains in excellent condition, unlined, with strong color and clean margins.
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Details
Title: Elysee Montmartre
Artist: Jules Cheret
Date: 1894 (published 1896)
Printer: Imprimerie Chaix, Paris
Size: 21.5 x 30 cm (approx. 8.5 x 11.8 in)
Print Type: Stone Lithograph (Les Affiches Illustrées)
Linen: Unlined
Condition: Excellent A
Comments: Sharp impression; excellent condition
