"Jules Chéret Alcazar d'Ete 1890," remastered in the Elliott Best Studio.

This vibrant 1890 lithograph by Jules Chéret (1836-1932) advertised the "Revue Fin de Siècle" at the Alcazar d'Été, a popular Parisian café-concert venue. The title "Fin de Siècle" (End of Century) perfectly captures the mood of 1890s Paris—a time of artistic innovation, social transformation, and cultural exuberance as the 19th century drew to a close.

The Alcazar d'Été was one of Paris's beloved café-concerts, entertainment venues that combined dining, drinking, and variety performances. These establishments were central to Belle Époque social life, offering accessible entertainment to a broad audience. Chéret's posters were essential marketing tools that transformed these venues into cultural landmarks and their performances into must-see events."

The "revue" was a popular theatrical format featuring music, dance, comedy sketches, and topical satire. These variety shows epitomized Belle Époque entertainment, and Chéret's posters captured their energy and spectacle, enticing audiences to experience the latest productions.

Every piece in this collection carries a history worth knowing. Read about the golden age of advertising art and the artists who made it.