ADOLPHE CRESPIN (1859-1944) & EDOUARD DUYCK (1856-1897) ALCAZAR ROYAL. 1894. 391/2x301/2 inches. Mertens, Brussels. Condition B: restored losses, repaired tears and restoration along vertical and horizontal folds. Crespin studied art in Brussels and Paris before returning to Belgium where he and his partner Duyck (who died very early), and Rassenfosse were among of the pioneers of Belgian poster art. This rare, perfectly balanced and colored poster is their masterpiece. Using a classic device to advertise a theater, they do not show the stage, but rather the audience, which is composed of local celebrities from the theatrical and political world. Among those recognizable in the crowd are the performer Yvette Guilbert and Edmond Picard (one of the founders of the Libre Esthetique), seated in the top row at the left side. The contrast of the plushness of the theater interior with the lighter faces is excellent. DFP-II 1023, Reims 1461, L'Affiche Belge 22.
