Lire dans Le Radical Madame Sans-Gêne – Chéret – 1894

Madame Sans-Gêne poster – Lire dans Le Radical – Jules Chéret – 1894

This beautiful French Belle Epoque poster was created by the famous lithographer and artist Jules Chéret. The poster was created to advertise the publication of a serialised novel in the French conservative daily newspaper Le Radical. The novel called Madame Sans-Gêne’ which translates into English as ‘Madame Without-shame’ was written by Edmond Lepelletier who along with many other writers of the period, chose to publish their work in newspapers to enable their literature to reach a wider audience. The serialised novel had become very popular with the French public, many of whom could afford a newspaper and less likely to be able to buy books. Le Radical was founded in 1898 and was mainly dedicated to politics.

The poster features an image of a beautiful woman in a yellow dress that is loosely covered by a royal red ermine-lined cloak. She is holding a letter in her hand that she appears to be reading, whilst its author, the Duke de Dantzig, is waiting for a response. The story tells of the curious life of Catherine Hübscher, known as a woman of modest origins, of having a strong temperament and being an outspoken 18th-century laundress who became the wife to François Joseph Lefebvre, Marshal of the Empire and Duke de Dantzig. Hübscher bore 14 children but sadly none survived her.

Original copies of this rare and sought-after poster sell for around £2000.

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 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.