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Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
A large-format artistic poster for the Parisian cabaret “La Lune Rousse”, created by the French artist and caricaturist Charles Léandre in 1904. The composition represents a characteristic example of Belle Époque poster art and reflects the combination of satirical graphic language, theatrical imagery and the decorative aesthetics of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
At the center of the composition is a theatrical encounter between a young woman and an elderly man. The female figure, dressed in an elegant evening gown and a feathered hat, is seated on a cabaret table in a deliberately theatrical pose. Opposite her stands a corpulent elderly gentleman dressed in a black tailcoat, holding a top hat in his hand. His figure is rendered in a distinctly caricatural manner with exaggerated plasticity and a dramatic gesture of the head thrown back. The composition is constructed on a striking contrast between the light, elegant silhouette of the woman and the heavy, comic presence of the man.
In the upper part of the sheet appears the smiling face of the moon - the symbolic emblem of the cabaret “La Lune Rousse”. This imaginative motif, surrounded by radiant beams, reinforces the atmosphere of Montmartre’s vibrant nightlife at the beginning of the 20th century. The decorative typography of the poster is executed in lettering characteristic of the Art Nouveau graphic language and is harmoniously integrated into the overall composition.
The poster advertises the cabaret “La Lune Rousse”, located at 36 Boulevard de Clichy, Place Pigalle, one of the principal centers of Parisian bohemian life in the early twentieth century. In the lower part of the sheet appear the artist’s signature and date “C. Léandre 1904”, together with the imprint of the artistic printing house Établissements Minot, Paris, known for producing theatrical and cabaret posters.
The lithograph was executed on paper and later reinforced by mounting onto a textile backing with a protective impregnation. This restoration practice was widely applied to large-format Belle Époque posters, allowing the fragile paper to be stabilized and preserved.
Dimensions: Height 140 cm, width 104 cm.
Material: Lithograph on paper, mounted on textile backing with protective impregnation.
Condition: Good. The paper shows a natural age-related tone. Old fold marks and light edge wear are visible, typical for large-format posters of the early 20th century. Traces of moisture exposure are present on the left side of the sheet.
Provenance: France, Paris.
The poster for the cabaret “La Lune Rousse”, created in 1904 by Charles Léandre, belongs to the flourishing period of French poster art during the Belle Époque. At that time Paris had become one of the major centers of artistic and cultural life in Europe. The districts of Montmartre and Pigalle were famous for their cabarets, theaters and music halls, which shaped the unique atmosphere of Parisian bohemian culture.
The cabaret “La Lune Rousse” was one of the notable artistic venues of Montmartre and continued the traditions of celebrated cabarets such as “Le Chat Noir”. Musical performances, satirical shows and theatrical sketches brought together actors, poets and artists in a lively cultural environment. Posters played a crucial role in the visual culture of the city, serving not only as advertisements but also as independent works of graphic art.
Charles Léandre (1862 - 1934) was one of the most prominent French caricaturists and illustrators of his time. His works were regularly published in leading satirical journals including Le Rire, Gil Blas and L’Assiette au Beurre. Léandre became renowned for his expressive caricature portraits and scenes of Parisian life, in which he depicted the characters of contemporary society with subtle irony.
Unlike the decorative posters of Alphonse Mucha or the dynamic compositions of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Léandre developed a more satirical approach to poster design, emphasizing expressive line and psychological characterization. His works capture the spirit of Parisian cultural life at the beginning of the 20th century and occupy an important place in the history of European poster art.
Large-format lithograph on paper showing natural age-related toning. Old fold marks and light wear along the edges are visible. Moisture marks are present on the left side of the sheet. The sheet is mounted on a textile backing with protective impregnation, stabilizing the paper and ensuring the preservation of the image. Overall condition consistent with the age of an early 20th century poster.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
