La fumée, puis la flamme de Joseph Caraguel 1895

This original 1895 illustrated program, created by Abel Truchet for La Fumée, puis la Flamme, a play by Joseph Caraguel, stands as a testament to the radical spirit of Le Théâtre Libre — the groundbreaking theatrical experiment founded by André Antoine. More than a simple announcement of a performance, this program is a historical document from one of the most important laboratories of modern theatre.

Truchet’s illustration is imbued with the visual tension characteristic of the fin-de-siècle, evoking the emotional arc suggested by the play’s title — from the intangible haze of "Fumée" to the decisive eruption of "Flamme". Known for his satirical illustrations and later contributions to the Salon des Humoristes, Truchet here explores a more dramatic and moody aesthetic, using restrained linework and compositional contrast to reflect the Symbolist and realist duality that defined Théâtre Libre’s repertoire.

Le Théâtre Libre, founded in 1887, was a crucible for new writing and daring staging techniques. Rejecting censorship and commercialism, it gave a platform to naturalist playwrights like Zola and realist innovators like Caraguel. This program, produced with care and artistic intention, reflects Antoine’s vision of theatre not just as spectacle but as a form of social and intellectual inquiry. The very presence of an original illustrated program—crafted with such finesse—is evidence of how seriously the movement treated every element of the theatrical experience.

In this piece, Truchet captures the atmosphere of a theatre that was more than entertainment—it was rebellion. The design invites the viewer into the psychological undercurrent of the play and reflects the Théâtre Libre’s commitment to authenticity, experimentation, and the dignity of the printed image.

Today, this program is an exceptionally rare piece of Belle Époque theatrical ephemera, combining literary ambition with visual elegance. It remains a cherished object for collectors of early modern theatre, graphic arts, and the cultural ferment of 1890s Paris.

Theater - Avant-Garde - France

Printed by Eugène Verneau in Paris

Good condition