The Poster They Tried to Ban: Lautrec, Bruant, and a Parisian Showdown

Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
Frame Material: Durable pine wood.
Frame Measurements: 20-25mm (0.79"-0.98") thick, 10-14mm (0.4"-0.6") wide.
Paper Weight: 200 gsm (80 lb), thickness: 0.22 mm (8.7 mils).
Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, non-reflective surface.
Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the poster.
Sustainable Paper: FSC-certified materials or equivalent.

This is the iconic 1892 advertising poster designed by the great French Post-Impressionist artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. It features a commanding portrait of the Parisian cabaret singer and nightclub owner, Aristide Bruant. Lautrec captures Bruant's imposing stage persona through his signature costume—a wide-brimmed black hat, a sweeping blue cloak, and a bold yellow scarf. Using flat planes of color, strong outlines, and a dramatic composition, Lautrec created not just an advertisement, but a powerful and enduring symbol of Parisian nightlife during the Belle Époque.

Historical Tidbit

There is a legendary story of defiance behind this poster. When Bruant commissioned his friend Toulouse-Lautrec to create it for a show at an upscale club, the manager was horrified by the stark, modern style and refused to display it. Bruant, an intimidating and powerful performer, gave the manager an ultimatum: "Put up my poster, or I don't sing." The manager backed down, the posters were plastered all over Paris, and they became an overnight sensation, cementing the fame of both artist and performer. The design became so synonymous with Bruant that he reused it for other venues, simply having the name—like "Eldorado" seen at the top of this version—printed on it. It was a triumph of the artistic avant-garde over conservative taste.

Our sturdy wooden framed posters come ready to hang and are printed on heavyweight white matte paper with a smooth, luxurious finish—designed to stand the test of time: