{"product_id":"le-rire-cover-15","title":"The Likeness is Accurate, Le Rire","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis delightful cover from Le Rire captures the gentle absurdity of Parisian salon culture in the late 1890s. Lucien Métivet's illustration depicts an elegantly overdressed couple examining a classical bust, with the gentleman whispering a flirtatious 'madrigal' comparing the lady to the sculpture, only to note that the bust lacks her 'je ne sais quoi,' though admittedly it is only a bust. The visual joke plays on multiple levels: the lady's enormous hat rivals the sculpture for sculptural presence, while her elaborately ruffled costume makes the simple classical form seem positively austere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMétivet was a master of capturing bourgeois pretension with affectionate wit. His soft pastel palette and fluid line work were perfectly suited to Le Rire's sophisticated readership, who would recognize themselves in these gently mocking portraits. The magazine, founded just three years earlier, had already established itself as the premier showcase for French graphic humor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA charming example of Belle Époque social satire that documents both the fashion excesses and cultural rituals of fin-de-siècle Paris. An excellent piece for collectors of French illustration or anyone drawn to the wit and elegance of this golden age of graphic art.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11.75\" x 8.5\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lucien Métivet\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Good, * Please note that this listing is for the cover artwork, and not the magazine as a whole. Age-appropriate wear. Paper toning in accordance with the print's age. Marks\/stains as per photo. Wear around the edges and minor paper loss might be present in some prints. Some covers may have writing or images on verso. Please refer to each print's photo to get a better understanding of the condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Authentic Vintage Posters","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45133308821619,"sku":"CA8146","price":44.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0088\/3005\/8556\/files\/2026-06-08-14-33-03-01.jpg?v=1782342203","url":"https:\/\/www.authenticvintageposters.com\/en-nl\/products\/le-rire-cover-15","provider":"Authentic Vintage Posters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}