Mothu et Doria – Theophile Steinlen – 1896

Mothu et Doria poster – Theophile Steinlen – 1893

Mothu and Doria were and a singing and acting duo in the late 1800s. This vintage musical theatre poster was illustrated by the artist T.A. Steinlen, who is better known for his cat posters, in 1893. The poster features the couple dressed in clothing that shows either end of the social spectrum. The coming together of a well-dressed, moustachioed, gentleman from high society in his top hat, black jacket and cape. He is holding his cigar out, to allow a working class character to light his cigarette. The scene takes place in a foggy, oil-lamp lit street. 

 All we really know is this: a gentleman, likely returning from the Opera, proffers a cigar so that a raffish gentleman with sunken cheeks can light his own cigarette, in the foggy gaslight of a Parisian night.

In his book Paris 1900 The Art of the Poster, Hermann Schardt explains ‘”The theatre goer enjoys the thrill and gets good value for his money, of seeing reproduced on the stage, the strange and rather sinister atmosphere of the underworld and demimonde. Steinlen’s poster for the two singers Mothu and Doria also gives a delicate hint of the social tension of the period. There is still, of course, no social unrest. There appears to be no top or bottom to society but only a coexistence of opposites. But there is nevertheless a slight difference between belonging to the ‘Paris that amuses itself’ and the ‘Paris that works.’ Behind the peremptory ‘A light, if you please, sir,’ there is the haunting memory of the Weavers’ Rebellion in 1844, which was brutally suppressed.”

Jules Cheret considered the poster to be of a high enough quality to reprint it as a poster and include it in his Maitres d’Affiches series as Plate 46. The Maitres de l’Affiche (Masters of the Poster) was a collection of 256 color lithographic plates delivered to monthly subscribers in sets of four beginning in 1895 and continuing through 1900. The collection was reproduced from the original posters of ninety-seven artists in a smaller 15 3/4 x 11 3/8 inch (40 x 29 cm) format. The individual plates were issued as separate numbered sheet, with the printer’s name, “Imprimerie Chaix,” in the margin at the bottom left hand corner.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a print and frame for a great price.