Œuvres De Rabelais Illustrees Par A.Robida 1885

This poster by Jules Chéret advertises an illustrated edition of the works of Rabelais. In late 19th-century France, affordable illustrated books and journals fueled a booming market for printed imagery and the rise of mass culture. Chéret was a pioneer of color lithography, producing vibrant posters for entertainment, products, and publications. Here, he uses bold lettering and lively figures to capture the bawdy spirit of Rabelais, a 16th-century writer known for his satirical and often vulgar stories. The image evokes the medieval world of Rabelais through a castle backdrop and character types such as a jester and a monk. Yet the poster is thoroughly modern in its appeal to a mass audience through eye-catching graphics and affordable pricing. Historians use sources like publishers' records, library catalogs, and the prints themselves to understand the interplay of literature, art, and commerce in shaping public taste during this period. This poster speaks to the democratization of culture and the commercialization of art in modern France.