Kees van Dongen (after), "Ludmilla Pitoëff as Saint Joan" Theatrical Poster

Name: Kees van Dongen (after), "Ludmilla Pitoëff as Saint Joan" Theatrical Poster
Brand: The Collector
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Framed 1925 Art Deco poster by Kees van Dongen for the play 'Sainte Jeanne,' featuring a blue and pink portrait of actress Ludmilla Pitoëff. - view 1

1/3

Rare (7/10)

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QUICK FACTS

Type

Museum Object

DESCRIPTION

An original 1925 stone lithograph poster advertising the 100th performance of George Bernard Shaw's play "Sainte Jeanne" at the Théâtre des Arts in Paris. The poster features a striking portrait of the lead actress, Ludmilla Pitoëff, designed by the celebrated Fauvist artist Kees van Dongen. Printed by H. Chachoin in Paris, the piece is an iconic example of Art Deco graphic design, blending van Dongen's expressive portraiture with bold, geometric typography.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Belle Époque Parisc. 1890-1914

Van Dongen's work follows the tradition established by artists like Toulouse-Lautrec in the 1890s, who elevated commercial advertising for Parisian entertainment into a respected art form.

German Expressionismc. 1905-1925

The stark, emotionally charged portrait with its intense gaze echoes the psychological depth found in German Expressionist art of the same era, although Van Dongen's color palette remains rooted in Fauvism.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Theatrical Commemoration: This poster was created to celebrate a milestone (the 100th performance), elevating a simple advertisement into a commemorative object.
•Collecting Graphic Art: The survival of this poster is thanks to the culture of 'affichomanie' (poster mania), where collectors began prizing these ephemeral advertisements as works of art in their own right.

Meaning Through Time

1925

A disposable street advertisement meant to attract theater-goers. Its value was purely commercial and temporary.

Mid-20th Century

Recognized by art historians as a significant work of Art Deco graphic design and an important piece by a major Fauvist artist.

21st Century

A blue-chip collectible and museum piece, representing the pinnacle of the fusion between fine art and commercial advertising in early 20th-century Paris.

HISTORICAL STORY

This poster represents a major cultural moment in 1920s Paris, uniting the work of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, Dutch-French artist Kees van Dongen, and the acclaimed Russian-French actress Ludmilla Pitoëff. Created for the Parisian premiere of "Saint Joan," the poster's modernist style ...

DID YOU KNOW?

The actress portrayed, Ludmilla Pitoëff, was so identified with the role of Saint Joan that playwright George Bernard Shaw himself declared her the greatest Joan he had ever seen.

Most original posters like this were glued to Parisian walls and destroyed by weather or covered by new posters, making surviving examples in excellent condition exceptionally rare.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

Matte surface of paper with characteristic ink absorption from the stone lithography process. The colors appear vibrant against the gently aged, cream-colored paper.

Weight & Feel

The poster itself is lightweight paper. Framed under glass at its large size (162 x 117 cm), the complete object would be very heavy and substantial, requiring professional handling.

Condition

The poster appears to be in excellent condition, consistent with the user's "Mint" description. The paper shows a gentle, even toning appropriate for its age. No visible tears, major folds, or significant foxing from the provided images.

RARITY ANALYSIS

Rare90-95%

CommonLegendary

Exceptional items that serious collectors actively seek. Only a handful appear at major auctions each year.

Typical Characteristics

Few examples at auction yearly
Specialist dealer networks
Strong collector competition

ESTIMATED VALUE

$14,000 - $22,000

Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Market comparables from auctions & retail
Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
Current collector demand & trends
Low = quick sale, High = patient seller

For informational purposes only—not a formal appraisal.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

User claim of artist 'Kees van Dongen' is visually confirmed by the text 'D'après VAN DONGEN'.
User specified time period '1925' is explicitly printed on the poster.
The subject 'Ludmilla Pitoëff' is the most prominent text on the advertisement.
User's 'Mint' condition assessment is consistent with the excellent state of preservation visible in the images.
The user's stated size of 162x117 cm is the known, correct dimension for this original poster.

What Conflicted

User mentioned 'Atelier Mourlot' as the printer, but the poster is clearly marked 'H. CHACHOIN Imp. Paris'. While van Dongen worked with the famed Mourlot studio on other prints, this specific poster was produced by Chachoin.