Created and signed by Chalumeau in 1935, this original French poster was designed for the celebrated Bal des Quat’z’Arts organized by students of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. The theme of that year’s ball was “Le Sac de Boukhara par Gengis Khan,” or “The Sack of Bukhara by Genghis Khan,” inspired by the Mongol conquest of the Central Asian city in 1220.
Founded in 1892, the Bal des Quat’z’Arts became one of the most legendary events in Parisian artistic life. Students from the disciplines of painting, sculpture, architecture and engraving created elaborate costumes, decorated floats and staged theatrical tableaux based on a different historical or mythological theme each year. The festivities were renowned for their creativity, extravagance and uninhibited atmosphere, regularly attracting controversy before the final ball was held in 1966.
The 1935 edition took place at the Salle Wagram and was presided over by the young architect Henry Bernard. The subject encouraged participants to imagine the armies, costumes and splendours of the Mongol Empire, transforming the historical sack of Bukhara into an elaborate student spectacle.
Chalumeau depicts Genghis Khan seated beneath a canopy on the left, surrounded by weapons, armour, treasure and exotic objects taken from the conquered city. Across the composition, warriors lead prisoners and carry plunder while the architecture of Bukhara rises in the background. The energetic black-and-white drawing, exaggerated characters and sequence-like arrangement give the design a remarkably modern appearance reminiscent of later comic-book illustration.
With its unusual horizontal format, bold calligraphic lettering and richly detailed imagery, this original poster is an exceptional document of interwar Parisian student culture. It will particularly appeal to collectors of French entertainment posters, École des Beaux-Arts memorabilia and early graphic art influenced by caricature and sequential illustration.
Original Poster
Show - Poster for the famous Ball of the Beaux-Arts School of Paris.
They only took place between 1892 and 1966. This ball was one of the most famous and sulphurous since known to be hedonist orgies, and regularly the organizers were pursued for outrages to illicit morals and behaviors.
However, student costumes were always very expected.
The 1935 ball took place at the Wagram Room and was chaired by the architect Henry Bernard.
Note an innovative style for the time our poster, which is getting closer to the comic
Laloux-Lemaresquier
Good condition, one restored tear, pin holes
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