La danse 1898

Created in 1898 as the very first supplement to Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, this intimate lithograph distills Jules Chéret’s vision of Belle Époque Paris into a single, buoyant figure. Titled La Danse, it shows a young performer caught mid-turn, lifting her gauzy skirt as orange blossoms flicker at her hair and hip. Chéret draws the body with swift, economical strokes, letting washes of warm sepia carry the motion, then punctuates the image with small sparks of color to keep the eye moving.

Unlike the main advertising plates in the series, the supplements were special bonus images issued to subscribers—artworks in their own right rather than announcements for a venue or product. This print was produced in the smaller Maîtres format on wove paper, typically bearing the series’ embossed blindstamp at lower right and the artist’s printed signature—details collectors look for to confirm authenticity.

Chéret is widely regarded as the father of the modern poster. His “chérettes”—spirited, stylish women—redefined outdoor publicity and helped elevate lithographic posters to collectible art. In La Danse, all the trademarks are present: fluid line, shimmering movement, and an effortless sense of joy. It’s a concise, elegant example of why his work set the standard for fin-de-siècle graphic art.

Woman - Dance

Supplement The masters of the poster Pl. 1

Printed by Chaix

Bon état