Poster For The 1er. Bal Masqué, La Grande Fête À L’opéra, 22 Janvier 1898

Jules Chéret created this poster for the Theatre de l'Opera's masked ball using lithography. In late 19th-century France, posters transformed Paris into an open-air art gallery. They announced everything from the latest plays to the newest consumer product, like bicycles. Chéret tapped into the energy of Parisian nightlife with his bright colors and lively figures. This poster isn't just advertising; it's offering a glimpse into a world of elegance and excitement. The masked ball was more than just a party, it was a carefully structured social ritual that temporarily leveled class distinctions. While the poster promotes this illusion, it also preserves the unspoken codes of gender and class through composition and costume. Historical archives, theater programs, and fashion plates are essential to understand the poster's complex communication. The poster’s true meaning lies in its dialogue with the social norms and the institutional setting of its time.