La Fille Élisa; Conte de Noël

1890

Jules Chéret

Associated Names
Jules Chéret

Artist, French, 1836 - 1932

This is a drawing of two surreal compositions featuring symbolic elements related to French art and theatre. The left side of the image showcases an ethereal figure draped in cloth, blowing a horn labeled "Courrier Français," with a dark, menacing figure beside it. The right side of the image displays a shadowy figure moving dynamically amongst grave markers and thorny plants with a theatrical tone, accompanied by the text "Théâtre Libre" and "Décembre 1890." Both halves employ sepia tones and intricate line work.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lithograph in light brown and red-brown on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Atlas Foundation

  • Dimensions

    sheet (program opened): 26.2 x 34.1 cm (10 5/16 x 13 7/16 in.)
    sheet (program closed): 26.2 x 17 cm (10 5/16 x 6 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.76.17

  • Series Title

    Théâtre Libre

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Rodolphe Darzens, Paris; Mr. and Mrs. Martin Atlas, Washington, D.C.; gift to NGA, 1995.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1992

  • Aitken, Geneviève. Artistes et Théâtres d'Avant-Garde: Programmes de Théâtre Illustrés, Paris 1890-1900. Exh. cat. Pont-Aven, Musée de Pont-Aven and tour, 1992, 20, no. 8.

1998

  • Boyer, Patricia. Artists and the Avant-Garde Theater in Paris 1887-1900. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington; National Academy Museum, New York, 1998-1999, no. 19, fig. 25.

Inscriptions

center left in stone: J Chéret; upper left in stone: Courrier Français; lower left printed: Le / Courrier Français; upper right printed: Théâtre Libre; center right in stone: J Chéret; lower center printed: Décembre 1890; lower right printed: IMP. CHAIX, PARIS.; across left half verso printed: ...LA FILLE ÉLISA... / CONTE DE NOEL... / De la part de MM. Jean Ajalbert et Auguste Linert....

Wikidata ID

Q75395644

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