Charles Leandre (1862-1934) - The Muse - Lithograph

Exhibition: Cabourg, Villa du Temps retrouvé, mars - novembre 2023.

A versatile artist with a unique universe and a fruitful career, Charles Léandre distinguished himself particularly in the field of lithography, which earned him a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1900, then, in 1921, the medal of honor at the Salon of French Artists. His lithographic production includes several fans produced for celebrations. This was produced to serve as a program for the gala morning given by the Society of Lithograph Painters on April 23, 1903 at the Opera-Comique in order to raise funds for the erection of a monument in memory of the satirical cartoonist. Gavarni (1804-1866).
Several members of the company, including Chéret, Forain, Eliot and Leandre, created on this occasion models for programs in the form of fans. They were so successful that “many people [were] forced to leave without being able to take this lovely souvenir with them”[1]. The Carnavalet Museum keeps ten different copies, including the one that corresponds to our lithograph.
An elegant young woman is depicted on the left side, a monkey on her knees. Behind her stands a man leaning on his elbow, an open book in front of him, who seems lost in thought. For this allegory of creative inspiration composed in homage to Gavarni, the young woman is dressed in the fashion prevailing under the July Monarchy, when Gavarni drew notably for the Charivari.
[1] Anonymous, “La matinee Gavarni”, La Fronde, April 24, 1903, p. 2.