THIS design of 1893 had already been used, with different texts, to advertise Bruant's perfomances. Here the occasion was the publication of the second volume of his songs, with illustrations by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen. The work was on sale in all bookstores and at Bruant's own café, the Mirliton (Reed Pipe).

So recognizable were Bruant's stance and costume that Lautrec portrays him from behind with no indication of the face whatever. By turning his back on the viewer, the figure is also invested with the insulting stage persona which Bruant had carried from his own Montmartre establishment to the expensive nightclubs along the Champs-Elysées. He was known all over Paris.

Two editions of this poster advertised Bruant's performances "Every night at the Mirliton" and "Coming soon to the Theatre." The third edition, shown here, announces his songbook Dans la Rue (In the Street), which followed a first volume of songs published in 1888. Both songbooks were illustrated by Steinlen. When Dans la Rue was actually published in 1895, the famed host of Montmartre had already gone into retirement at the age of forty-four. No further posters were needed.

Le Deuxième Volume de Bruant
1893; Desloge 89; W P10c; D 349
Lithograph in two colors. 30 1/2 x 25 1/4 inches.
Text by another hand. Artist´s monogram lower right.
Gift of the Baldwin M. Baldwin Foundation, 1987:45

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