CHARLES KIFFER (1902-1992) MAURICE CHEVALIER. 1936. 63x46 5/8 inches. Richier-Laugier, Paris. Condition A-: creases in image; abrasions in right image. In the years following the First World War, Maurice Chevalier became the king of the Parisian music halls. He worked with many different poster artists to advertise his performances, including Jean Don, Charles Gesmar and Zig. However, when he began to work with Charles Kiffer, the artist remained his sole and nearly exclusive poster designer, designing more than fifteen posters for the performer over the course of his career. In this synthetical image, Kiffer highlights the physical attributes that made Chevallier unique: his lips, chin and straw hat. That we don't even see the performer's eyes is a tribute to the renown of these other prominent features. Kiffer reused the same design (against a blue background) in 1951, to announce Chevallier's show at L'Alhambra. Kiffer, who specialized in show business posters, also created memorable works for Edith Piaf and Marcel Marceau. Musee d'Affiche, 82; Weill, 320.
