Léona Dare 1882

Jules Chéret created this lithographic poster to advertise the Hippodrome’s star performer, Léona Dare. In late 19th-century France, the circus and music hall were important sites of popular entertainment. Posters like this one brought these spectacles into the urban environment, adorning walls and kiosks. Note the way the image creates meaning through its visual codes. The vibrant colors, dynamic composition, and idealized figure of Dare were all meant to capture the excitement of the performance and entice passersby to attend. Chéret's posters not only promoted entertainment but also reflected changing social norms. Dare’s athletic figure and confident pose challenged conventional representations of women. Scholars of cultural history might ask: to what extent did such images empower women, and to what extent did they simply serve to commodify the female body for mass consumption? By examining this poster, alongside other archival sources, we can gain insights into the cultural landscape of the Belle Époque, a period of optimism and innovation, but also one marked by social inequalities.