Divan Japonais

Color lithography in the late 19th century helped promote Paris as “the capital of pleasure” with a multitude of artists producing posters and lithographs advertising the many cafe's, theaters, circuses and all forms of entertainment venues. Toulouse-Lautrec was amongst the most prolific and proficient artists of the new lithograph medium and helped catapult the popularity of several places such as the cabaret Divan Japonais. In this lithograph the popular dancer Jane Avril and the critic Edouard Dujardin can be seen casually enjoying themselves while in the background the singer Yvette Guilbert who is identifiable by her trademark black gloves and lanky form can be seen performing behind a pit band.