Mayol, one of the all-time music hall greats who remained a top draw for over forty years, was touted by Barrère in a previously seen poster as “Paris’ Premiere Comic Singer” (see PAI-LII, 199). Bernard also created a whimsical design for the performer (see PAI-XLVI, 195), and this, although unsigned, is his preparatory work for the poster. While some details have been modified—the Lily of the Valley boutonniere here is fuller and the wooden frame less flushed out—the essence remains the same. Both images feature the blithe smirk that always seemed to be at play on his visage, his improbable cowlick, and his trademark corsage as the performer is once again trotted out in all his flamboyant glory.
literature: PAI-LXXXIV, 203