In this 1901 study, Chéret explores the sculptural grace and serene momentum of the performer known as "La Jolie Fagette". The illustration immortalizes her appearance at the Ambassadeurs, emphasizing her noble, cinched silhouette, her delicate, pearl-adorned neck, and the rhythmic scattering of white blossoms held in her hand. Chéret’s approach celebrates the aesthetic refinement and social allure of the era, showcasing the entertainer not just as a singer, but as a symbolic beacon of modern Parisian fashion and springtime elegance. The work transforms a promotional playbill into a profound study of light, texture, and the poetic allure of the cafe-concert.
The composition is elegantly balanced and immersive, using a swirling, atmospheric background of mint and forest greens to pull the viewer into the electric poise of the subject. The contrast between the radiant, warm tones of the central figure and the deep, shadowy blue behind her creates a sense of atmospheric depth and stylistic suspension. Chéret utilizes bold, gestural brushwork and a sophisticated palette of primary accents and cool pastels to capture the "vividity" of the scene—from the single red poppy at her breast to the radiant, stage-lit atmosphere of a Parisian evening. This work is a premier highlight of The Brasserie Suite: Belle Époque Playbills, curated to bring the leisurely, high-culture spirit of a night at the theater to the modern dining room.
