Des Mots! Des Mots! 1896

Curator: We’re looking at Abel-Truchet’s lithograph from 1896, entitled "Des Mots! Des Mots!" which translates to "Words! Words!". It appears to depict a scene, perhaps from a play. Editor: It has this wonderfully theatrical energy, even in its monochromatic palette. The sketchy quality of the ink lends an urgency. Look at the man on the right gesturing wildly, almost exploding from the composition. It feels like raw, unfiltered emotion poured onto the page. Curator: Exactly! It was actually a theatre poster advertising the representation of a one act play by Charles Quinel and René Dubreuil at the Théâtre de l'Œuvre. Truchet captured the lively Parisian theater scene, which was burgeoning at the time and greatly influenced the aesthetics of Art Nouveau. The urgency, the drama… It’s a snapshot of that moment. Editor: The artist's use of line is fascinating. There’s a certain economy of detail. For example, look at the texture he creates with simple hatched lines – on the table, to represent light, and in shadows. The raw materials speak volumes. And notice the interplay between text and image—they aren't just informational; they're compositional elements that enhance the sense of theatricality. Curator: The composition clearly evokes the relationship between theater and public discourse, suggesting how playwrights tried to capture real-world struggles and reflect them on the stage. "Defense de fumer"—the ‘no smoking’ sign, next to ‘Lion in the Free State’ creates a layered social commentary on public freedoms, especially given where it was placed physically within fin-de-siècle Paris. Editor: It’s amazing how much information, both textual and visual, can be packed into such a seemingly simple piece. You have social commentary, reflections on daily life, alongside a poster to promote and, likely, sell tickets. It blurs the boundaries between the production of art and advertisement! Curator: And thinking about its legacy, this work is more than just an ephemeral advert; it provides us with key insights into the social and cultural history of the period. Editor: Yes, seeing the finished lithograph makes me curious about Truchet’s entire artistic process from inception to printing. Curator: Agreed, what an interesting insight on theater!