Mirages - Programme du théâtre libre 1892

In this 1892 illustrated program for Mirages, Henri-Gabriel Ibels, a key figure of the Nabis movement, extends the reach of modern art deep into the realm of performance. Created for the pioneering Théâtre Libre, founded by André Antoine, this program encapsulates the spirit of an era where literature, theater, and visual art were united by a shared mission: to bring truth to the stage.

Unlike the decorative dreamworlds of Symbolism, Ibels’s visual language is bold, flat, and direct — echoing the naturalist ethos of the Théâtre Libre. His illustration strips away illusion and affectation, reflecting the social realism of Mirages, a play that delves into the fragile interplay between perception and disillusionment.

Executed in his signature style — with expressive contour lines, compressed perspectives, and a limited palette — Ibels treats the program not as mere advertisement, but as an extension of the dramaturgy itself. Here, the illustration functions like a prologue: it prepares the spectator’s mind, not just their eyes, for the psychological and societal conflicts that will unfold onstage.

This piece is emblematic of the graphic modernism emerging in Paris in the 1890s — democratic in form, accessible in format, and radically engaged in content. It stands at the crossroads of fine art and mass communication, showing how a simple program could serve as both a collectible object and a political gesture.

Today, Ibels’s work for the Théâtre Libre offers not only a glimpse into the early history of independent theater, but also a snapshot of an era when artists and playwrights together questioned the boundaries between reality and illusion — and between art and life.

Theater - Avant-Garde - France

Aitken

Printed by Eugène Verneau in Paris

Good condition