Don Quichotte - Nouveau Cirque - Vintage Circus Poster
Don Quichotte, Bouffonnerie Equestre,  Nouveau Cirque
 
This wonderful French Circus Poster was created for an equestrian performance showing Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in 1892.
 
Nouveau Cirque (New Circus) was a circus located in Paris at 251 Rue Saint-Honoré, on the site of the Panorama of Reichshoffen which was established on the site of the Olympic Circle and then the Bal Valentino. The establishment was owned by Joseph Oller, co-founder of the famous Moulin Rouge and opened its doors on February 12, 1886.
 
It was a fashionable establishment and patrons were required to dress formally. It included an equestrian arena could be transformed into an aquatic track. The arena could be lowered by a hydraulic system to create a water basin for aquatic performances. It was one of the few buildings in Paris at the time to be completely lit by electric lights. Nouveau Cirque closed its doors on April 18, 1926 and was demolished.
 
Lucien Lefevre was a pupil of Jules Cheret at his printing atelier (workshop), he gained a reputation as a poster artist in his own right and his work reflected the influence of his teacher. He is an artist whose work is included in Les Maîtres de l’Affiche (The Masters of the Poster); the publication became one of the most prestigious and influential art publications in history.