JULES CHÉRET (1836-1932) L'HORLOGE / VAUGHAN. 1877. 23 1/2x16 3/4 inches, 60x43 cm. J. Cheret & Cie., Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears and creases in margins and image; horizontal fold. Animal taming in 19th century France was such a popular form of entertainment that the performers not only appeared in circuses and fairs, but also in music halls. Besides lion tamers and horse-breakers, the field boasted such unusual acts as Dourrof with his 150 cats or Vaughan with his farm animals (he billed himself as an "animal charmer.") This well-balanced and charming image is typical of Cheret's early style, with a gradation from blue to green in the background, and the central figure in red to make him stand out against the menagerie. In 1891 Sagot offered this poster in his catalogue for 10 francs, describing it as "a nice small format piece." Very rare. Broido 154, Maindron 134.
