JULES-ALEXANDRE GRÜN LA CIGALE / ALLO! ALLO! 1898. 48 3/4x35 1/4 inches. (124 x 89 cm.) Chaix, Paris. Condition B+: creases, repaired tears and minor restoration in margins and image; minor losses at edges. La Cigale opened in the heart of Montmartre in 1887, and became even more successful after it was enlarged in 1894, making it one of the largest of all of Paris's music halls. The key to its success was consistently hiring the best writers (like Henri Fursy and Leon Nunes), the best actors (Jeanne Bloch, who was short, fat and exceptionally funny), and lots of chorus girls. It also made use of one of the best poster designers to promote its shows, and Grün was employed exclusively between 1898 and 1902. As the scope of this show was larger than the usual cabarets for which Grün worked, the artist had to adapt his style. Rather than focussing on one voluptuous, sexy character, Grün depicts the entire cast of this large production, prominently featuring Jeanne Bloch in the center. The color scheme is also different for the artist, presenting far more colors than his usual combination of red and black. Grün p. 47, Spectacle 967.
