Jules Chéret: La Diaphane, Poudre de Riz (Sarah Bernhardt) Maîtres de l’Affiche Plate 121

This item is a color lithograph poster after the iconic 1890 design by Jules Chéret for 'La Diaphane' rice powder, featuring the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt. The artwork is characterized by the Belle Époque style, featuring a central figure of a woman in an elegant orange/red dress applied with a white powder puff, set against a vibrant blue and yellow background. The piece includes the 'Maîtres de l’Affiche' (Masters of the Poster) logo in the top right corner, consisting of the red 'M' monogram with a star, identifying it as Plate 121 from the famous collection published by l'Imprimerie Chaix between 1895 and 1900. The color palette consists of primary blues, yellows, and warm reds, which are hallmarks of Chéret’s 'Chérettes' style. The typography at the bottom reads 'La Diaphane, Poudre de Riz, Sarah Bernhardt, 32 Avenue de l’Opéra Paris.' Regarding condition, the paper shows significant signs of age-related yellowing (toning), particularly visible in the pale upper sections. There are distinct vertical and horizontal fold lines or creases through the center, suggesting it may have been folded at some point. The piece is currently displayed in a modern frame behind glass, which appears to have reflections from the surrounding environment. The craftsmanship of the original series used high-quality lithography on wove paper, measuring approximately 11 by 15 inches.

I have examined the digital representation of Jules Chéret’s 'La Diaphane' (Plate 121), published as part of the prestigious Maîtres de l’Affiche series by Imprimerie Chaix. This series, curated by Chéret himself, condensed large-scale street posters into manageable lithographic sizes for collectors. The presence of the 'M' monogram blindstamp in the top right corner is a primary indicator of authenticity for this edition. The piece features Sarah Bernhardt, a pinnacle 'Chérette' subject, which remains highly desirable among Belle Époque collectors. Condition-wise, this example shows notable age-toning and visible horizontal and vertical creases. In the collectors' market, Maîtres de l’Affiche plates are most valuable when 'mint' or 'near-mint'; the present creasing suggests historical mishandling or folding, which significantly detracts from the potential 'top-tier' value of $3,000+. However, the registration of colors remains vibrant across the transition from the iconic orange dress to the deep blue field. Comparable sales of Plate 121 with similar toning typically range between $1,000 and $2,000. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on visual inspection of the provided image. Definitive authentication requires removing the piece from the frame to verify paper thickness, wove texture, and the presence of the full margin. A physical examination would also determine if the discoloration is surface-level acidity or 'foxing' that could be mitigated by a professional conservator. Provenance documentation or a purchase receipt from a recognized lithography gallery would further solidify the valuation. Given the prevalence of modern reproductions, the characteristic lithographic grain and ink saturation must be confirmed under 10x magnification to distinguish this from a contemporary offset print.