Eugène GRASSET (1845-1917) - Lot 353

Lot n° 353
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6000 - 8000 EUR
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Résultat : 23 000EUR
Eugène GRASSET (1845-1917) - Lot 353
Eugène GRASSET (1845-1917) The black cat, circa 1895 Polychrome painted plaster. First sign for Le Chat Noir cabaret in Paris Height 41 cm Length: 42 cm Provenance : - Cabaret du Chat Noir, Paris - Collection of Rodolphe SALIS, Château de la Tour de Naintré - By inheritance, Sale of the Jean SALIS (1886-1963) collection, Châtellerault, Me Saint Gall - His sale, Châtellerault, Me Sabourin, November 13, 2004 - Vienne private collection Notes : The only other known example of our work is on deposit at the Musée de Montmartre, Collection François, Claire et Martin Binetruy. Le Chat Noir, founded in 1881 by the châtelleraudais painter Rodolphe Salis, is an emblematic cabaret of Montmartre, a true symbol of artistic and bohemian life at the end of the XIXᵉ century. Initially a simple drinking establishment at 84 boulevard Rochechouart, it soon became a rallying point for Parisian artists, writers and musicians, notably the Hydroapathes literary circle headed by Emile Goudeau, who made it his haunt. In response to its growing success, in 1885 it moved to 12 rue de Laval (now rue Victor-Massé), in a larger space able to accommodate an ever-growing audience. Salis installed an auditorium and a shadow theater, where performances went from being rare to regular to daily, making Le Chat Noir a mecca for Parisian artistic life. Artists such as Eugène Grasset and Alexandre Charpentier also contributed to the theater's décor. The colored plaster cat below is part of this decor. Shadow theater was one of Le Chat Noir's major innovations. Inspired by shadow puppetry, it consists of cut-out silhouettes animated on a backlit screen. The theater was created by Henri Rivière, who perfected the technique with sophisticated sets and mechanisms, giving life to highly original visual spectacles. These performances were a huge success, making the cabaret a fixture on the Parisian entertainment scene. At the same time, the Chat Noir launched a weekly revue under the direction of Salis and Émile Goudeau. This publication helped to promote the cabaret and featured works by major writers such as Paul Verlaine, Jean Richepin and Léon Bloy, illustrated by renowned artists including Théophile Alexandre Steinlen and Caran d'Ache. Despite its major influence on the Montmartre art scene, the cabaret closed its doors in 1897, two years after the death of Rodolphe Salis. However, its legacy lives on, notably through its iconic posters and its impact on Parisian culture.
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