Maverick Mist

Irène Henry (1894)
Henri-Gabriel Ibels
French, 1867-1936
Color lithograph

Henri-Gabriel Ibels was a prominent figure in avant-garde circles in 1890s Paris and well-known for his inventive poster designs, characterized by areas of flat color and a strong sense of decorative pattern. In this poster, he represents the singer Irène Henry performing outdoors at a café-concert, L'Horloge, on the Champs Élysées in Paris. Café-concerts enjoyed great popularity in late 19th century France and served as a more informal space (allowing consumption of food and drink) than more conventional concert halls. Here, Irène Henry artfully leans forward and is silhouetted against the trees, gas lights and evening sky. The poster announces that she performs "tous les soirs" or "every night."