Émilienne D’alençon 1898

Jules Chéret made this lithograph poster to advertise Émilienne D’alençon at the Folies-Bergère, a Parisian music hall. This Belle Époque artwork encapsulates the era's fascination with celebrity, entertainment, and shifting social mores. Émilienne D’alençon, a prominent figure of Parisian nightlife, embodies the era's complex relationship with femininity and performance. As a celebrated dancer and courtesan, she navigated the blurred lines between public persona and private life, challenging traditional expectations of women. The poster presents her as both an object of desire and a powerful performer, reflecting the contradictory roles women occupied in the late 19th century. The man falling at her feet, umbrella flying, is typical of Chéret's compositions and is a reference to Émilienne's allure. Chéret's poster captures a moment in time, and gives insight into the narratives and identities of the Parisian world.