JULES CHERET (1836-1932)

Jules Chéret was a French painter and lithographer born on May 31, 1836 in Paris. He is closely associated with the development of the modern illustrated poster in late nineteenth century France. Trained initially as a lithographer, he studied drawing at the École Nationale de Dessin in Paris and spent several years in London during the 1850s, where he encountered advanced color printing techniques that would shape his later work.

In 1866, Chéret returned to Paris and established his own printing firm. There he refined a three stone lithographic process that allowed for vivid, economical color production. He produced posters for theaters, music halls, cafés, and commercial products, working for venues such as the Folies Bergère and clients across the expanding entertainment industry of Paris. His designs often featured lively female figures set against dynamic backgrounds, reflecting the urban culture of the Belle Époque.

Beyond commercial commissions, Chéret also created decorative panels and pastels. In the 1880s and 1890s he received official recognition in France, including the Légion d'honneur in 1890. In 1895, the publication Les Maîtres de l’Affiche reproduced many of his posters in a smaller format, helping to circulate his work internationally.

In 1928, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris established the Prix Chéret in his honor to recognize excellence in poster design. Chéret spent his later years in Nice, where he died on September 23, 1932.