Théâtrophone 1896

With elegance, whimsy, and vibrant Parisian spirit, Jules Chéret’s Théâtrophone lithograph is a gem from the celebrated Les Maîtres de l’Affiche series, published in 1896. Often referred to as the "father of the modern poster," Chéret merges technological marvel and artistic flair in this advertisement for one of the 19th century's most enchanting inventions: the théâtrophone.

The théâtrophone allowed subscribers to listen to live performances from the opera and theater via telephone—a marvel of Belle Époque ingenuity. Chéret’s composition captures this innovation with dynamic flourish: a fashionable woman leans into a telephone receiver, transported by sound, as musical notes and color swirl around her in a dreamlike vortex. The background fades into a soft pastel haze, accentuating the subject’s rapture and the magical experience the device promises.

Produced as part of the prestigious Les Maîtres de l’Affiche (The Masters of the Poster) collection—an initiative by publisher Jules Chéret to showcase the finest poster art of the era—Plate 33 exemplifies the optimism and theatricality of turn-of-the-century Paris. The chromolithograph format renders the colors with rich, velvety texture, highlighting Chéret’s mastery of both typography and motion.

This poster is more than an advertisement; it is a visual ode to the marriage of art and technology, capturing the exuberance of a time when culture, communication, and design converged to shape modern life.

Theater - Show - Telecommunications

The masters of the poster Pl. 33

Printed by Chaix

Good condition