HENRI-GABRIEL IBELS (1867-1936) ANDRÉE SUMAC. 1893. 46 5/8x36 3/4 inches. E. Maifeyt & Cie, Paris. Condition B+: creases, abrasions and staining in margins and image; restored punch-holes in margins; restoration along vertical and horizontal folds. Street fairs were a popular form of entertainment in Montmartre at the turn-of-the-century. To advertise this particular fair Ibels illustrates the barker, hired to lure passers-by to the show with her "boniments" (patter). Further adding to the exotic nature of the event is her partner on stage, a black man with a large bass drum. Andrée Sumac certainly appears to be a wrestler, and obviously had some local acclaim to get such prominent billing on the poster, and yet little is known about this event, and even less about the performer herself. Ibels, who loved sketching street parades, is at his best here. He has captured a wonderful piece of working class Parisian street life, not only depicting the performers, but also the crowd of soldiers and working class girls. Maitres 1900 p. 50.
