Third Performance: A Bas le progrès!, Mademoiselle Julie, Le Ménage Brésile, for Le Théatre Libre 1892 - 1893

Henri-Gabriel Ibels created this lithograph advertisement for the Théâtre Libre in Paris. It was a revolutionary venue. André Antoine founded the Théâtre Libre in 1887 as a space for naturalistic drama, free from censorship and commercial constraints. Ibels captures the spirit of the theater through the motif of French soldiers, with the poster’s title, “Down with Progress!” The poster advertises plays that challenged social norms. The Théâtre Libre sought to create a space for artistic experimentation and social commentary. It encouraged playwrights and artists to confront the complexities of modern life, and explore new forms of expression. To understand this image better, we might consult theater archives, social histories of Paris, and critical studies of fin-de-siècle culture. Ibels’ print reminds us that art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Rather, it reflects the debates and anxieties of its time.