Original stone-lithograph plate issued in 1899 at Imprimerie Chaix (Paris) for Les Maîtres de l’Affiche. This plate (no. 197) presents Adolfo Hohenstein’s celebrated poster for the Italian opera Iris, composed by Pietro Mascagni.
Premiered in Rome in 1898, Iris quickly spread to the great opera houses of Europe, admired for Mascagni’s rich score and exotic subject matter. Hohenstein, often called the “father of Italian poster art,” created the striking visual campaign. His design for Iris blends Symbolist and Art Nouveau influences: a graceful female figure radiates light and mystery, surrounded by decorative motifs that suggest both the opera’s dramatic themes and its lush Orientalist setting.
Les Maîtres de l’Affiche (1895–1900) was a prestigious subscription series directed by Jules Chéret, showcasing small-format original lithographs of the era’s most important posters. Printed at the Chaix atelier on fine wove paper and issued with the blindstamp, these plates brought the leading poster artists of Europe to collectors in a refined format.
Title: Iris (opera by Pietro Mascagni)
Artist: Adolfo Hohenstein (1854–1928)
Date: 1899 (Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, plate no. 197)
Printer: Imprimerie Chaix, Paris
Size: 11.5 × 15.5 inches (approx. 29 × 39 cm)
Print Type: Stone lithograph
Condition: Excellent “A,” near-mint on fine wove paper with blindstamp
Comments: Authentic plate from Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, produced at Chaix under the direction of Jules Chéret. Brilliant impression and vivid color. A rare example of Italian poster design represented in the series, celebrating Hohenstein’s elegant artwork for Mascagni’s Iris.
Eugène Grasset (1845–1917)
Jeanne d’Arc – Sarah Bernhardt, 1899
A richly colored stone lithograph by Eugène Grasset, issued as Plate 174 in Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, the celebrated monthly series published by Jules Chéret at the Imprimerie Chaix in Paris between 1895 and 1900. Subscribers received four plates each month over five years, reproducing the most accomplished poster designs of the Belle Époque in reduced format. The complete series comprised 256 numbered plates created by the foremost artists of the day.
This plate portrays the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt in her celebrated role as Jeanne d’Arc. Grasset, a major figure of the Art Nouveau movement, combines stylized design with spiritual dignity, expressing both Bernhardt’s theatrical power and the idealized purity of the saint.
Details
Original stone lithograph on wove paper
Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris
From Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, Plate 174 (1899)
Sheet size: approximately 40 × 29 cm / 15.75 × 11.4 in.
Condition: Excellent; vivid impression on full sheet
Comments
An outstanding example from Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, uniting Grasset’s refined Art Nouveau style with the timeless image of Sarah Bernhardt as France’s national heroine.
PARIS OPERA ROMEO AND JULIETTE BY MARC CHAGALL 1964
Marc Chagall painted the ceiling of the Paris Opera, officially known as the Palais Garnier, in 1963. His work replaced the original design by Jules-Eugène Lenepveu and was unveiled in 1964. The mural spans 2,400 square feet and celebrates famous composers like Mozart, Wagner, and Debussy. Using vivid colors and dreamlike imagery, Chagall created a striking contrast with the opera’s classical architecture. Initially, some critics felt it clashed with the historic setting, but it later became a beloved feature of the opera house.
In 1969, Chagall designed a travel poster for Air France featuring Romeo and Juliet. The artwork shows the lovers floating in an embrace above a colorful landscape, blending fantasy and romance. His deep blues, reds, and yellows create a dreamlike atmosphere, reflecting France’s cultural richness. Today, this poster remains one of the most well-known travel images linked to his work.
Artist: CHAGALL, MARC Printer: MOURLOT IMPRIMERIE Size: 25 x 39″ / 62 x 100 cm On/Off Linen: On Linen Print Technique: stone lithograph Year: 1964 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
PARIS OPERA ROMEO AND JULIETTE BY MARC CHAGALL 1964
Chagall who painted the ceilings of the Paris Opera had this poster take a portion from the ceiling and reproduced it by mourlot a artistic printer who does printing by way of stone lithography rare…
Artist: MEUNIER Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
BULLIER BY MEUNIER FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: Boano Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
TEATRO REGIO BY BOANO FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: Boano Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16 in / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
EUGENIE BUFFET BY STEVENS FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Artist: Stevens Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16 in / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: HELLBRON Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
MESSALINE BY HELLBRON FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: DUDLEY HARDY Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
THE CHIEFTAIN BY DUDLEY HARDY FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: Cheret Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
THEATRE DE L’OPERA BY CHERET FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: Cheret Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
AUX BUTTES CHAUMONT BY CHERET FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
Artist: BAC Printer: Chaix Imprimerie, Paris Size: 12 x 16″ / 30.5 x 40.6 cm On/Off Linen: Unlined Year: 1895-9 Condition & Comments: Excellent A condition
SCALA BY BAC FOR LES MAITRES DE L’AFFICHE
Les Maitres de l’affiche were stone lithographs printed by the Chaix Imprimerie in paris between the years 1895 and 1899. The celebrated the masters of the posters of that period. Paris for 4 plates to arrive every month. The plate is in excellent condition.
