A runaway success at the time of its original publication in 1862, Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables maintained its popularity well into the 20th century. This is one of two designs Chéret created to announce the release of an illustrated version of the work, at the time divided into five separate volumes. As the first two books in the novel are entitled "Fantine" and "Cosette," we see those principle female characters on either side of the poster, with the story’s hero, Jean Val Jean, moving steadily through the central tableaux.
Imp. Chaix, Paris
literature: Chéret, 779; Broido, 614; Maindron, 503; PAI-LIX, 256