Ambassadeurs: Aristide Bruant - Only 1 left!

Ambassadeurs: Aristide Bruant tapestry has been discontinued by the weaver in Belgium. It is a reproduction of the original series of posters advertising the Parisian singer and restaurateur Aristide Bruant, designed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 - 1901). It was commissioned to advertise Bruant's debut at Les Ambassadeurs, a fashionable cafe on the Champs Elysee in Paris. It deftly conveys Bruant's strong personality by depicting him as the central figure in the poster, with almost no other elements to distract our attention except a single silhouetted figure to create a sense of depth. It also successfully shows Bruant's distinctive black cape, red scarf and wide rimmed hat turning an already well known individual into an iconic figure.

Although the manager of the cafe hated the poster Bruant thought it a masterpiece and insisted it be used, threatening not to perform if refused. Toulouse-Lautrec was never paid for the work, although it has become one of his most famous pieces, and is a good example of the unique style he introduced to 19th century art as well as one of the first attempts to capture the mood and ambience of the decadence of the times in which he lived.

This French tapestry is lined and has a tunnel for ease of hanging.