Cosmydor and Jules Chéret, a collaboration started in 1891

Jules Chéret’s iconic 1891 poster for Cosmydor

Jules Chéret was a renowned French painter and lithographer, known for his pioneering work in the field of poster design. Born on May 31, 1836, in Paris, France, Chéret grew up in a family of artisans. His father was a typographer, and his mother was a seamstress. As a young man, Chéret showed a talent for drawing and attended the École Nationale de Dessin and later the École des Beaux-Arts.

Chéret's interest in lithography was sparked when he saw the works of J.H. Bufford, an American lithographer who was known for his colorful and imaginative posters. In 1858, Chéret started his own lithography workshop, which produced posters for a variety of clients, including theatres, music halls, and cabarets.

In 1891, Chéret was commissioned to create a series of illustrations for Cosmydor, a French cosmetics company founded in 1877. Chéret's illustrations helped to promote the company's products to a wider audience.

Chéret's illustrations for Cosmydor were characterized by their bright colors, fluid lines, and playful imagery. They featured women in fashionable clothing, holding jars of Cosmydor products, surrounded by flowers and other decorative elements. Chéret's illustrations were a perfect fit for Cosmydor's advertising campaign, which aimed to appeal to a younger, more fashion-conscious audience.

Chéret continued to produce work for Cosmydor for several years, creating a wide range of posters, postcards, and other promotional materials. His illustrations helped to establish Cosmydor as a leading brand in the cosmetics industry and helped to popularize the use of cosmetics among women of all ages.

Chéret's contributions to the world of art and design were recognized in his lifetime. In 1884, he was awarded the Legion of Honor, and in 1890, he was appointed the official artist of the Parisian Exposition Universelle. He continued to work until his death in Nice, France, on September 23, 1932, at the age of 96.

Today, Chéret's illustrations for Cosmydor are highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts. They are a testament to Chéret's talent as an artist and his ability to create images that were both beautiful and effective in promoting products and brands.

It was a logical step for the brand to ask another exceptional French artist, Grems, to re-imagine Jules Chéret’s work with Cosmydor. In 2020 a series of artworks and special editions were presented in an exhibition in Le Marais, in Paris.