Mistinguett, (born Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois; 3 April 1875 – 5 January 1956) was a French actress and singer. She was at one time the highest-paid female entertainer in the world.
At an early age Bourgeois aspired to be an entertainer. She began as a flower seller in a restaurant in her hometown, singing popular ballads as she sold blossoms. After taking classes in theatre and singing, she began her career as an entertainer in 1885. One day on the train to Paris for a violin lesson, she met Saint-Marcel, who directed the revue at the Casino de Paris. He engaged her first as a stage-hand, and here she began to pursue her goal to become an entertainer, experimenting with various stage-names, being successively Miss Helyett, Miss Tinguette, Mistinguette and, finally, Mistinguett. In the 1880s Mistinguett visited her neighbor Anna Thibaud to ask for advice. Thibaud told her, “To succeed in the theatre … you must be pretty. You must excite men.” Mistinguett asked if she meant that she had to excite the crowds. Thibaud repeated, “No, the men!”
Bourgeois made her debut as Mistinguett at the Casino de Paris in 1895 and went on to appear in venues such as the Folies Bergère, Moulin Rouge and Eldorado. Her risqué routines captivated Paris, and she went on to become the most popular French entertainer of her time and the highest-paid female entertainer in the world, known for her flamboyance and a zest for the theatrical. In 1919 her legs were insured for 500,000 francs. Reference: Wikipedia
Horst P. Horst, 1906-1999 ‘MISTINGUETT (MOLYNEUX DRESS)’, PARIS, 1933, PRINTED LATER Silver Print, the photographer’s blindstamp signature in the margin, signed, titled, dated and annotated ‘Silver’ in pencil on the reverse, framed and glazed, 353 by 277mm
Sold for 840 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2005
Poster, printed in red and blue lettering listing the acts performing at the Casino de Paris at 16, Rue de Clichy.
Paris Qui Brille (Paris Dazzles) was a popular revue at the Casino de Paris in Paris, France. The headline act was the French actress and singer Mistinguett, who was one of the best paid entertainers of her time. Other performers included Petit Jimmy (Jimmy Gaillard) who was a protege of Mistinguett and the Jackson Boys, an all male dance troupe from Lancashire in North East England.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
Daniel de Losques Mistinguett Lithographic poster, 1911, printed by H Chahoin, Paris; laid down, extensive surface defects, 1750 x 950mm (69 x 37 3/8in)(I). With another of the same title by G K Benda. (2)
Sold for £ 504 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2005
Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942) MISTINGUETT, CASINO DE PARIS lithograph in colours, 1920, printed by Devambez, Paris, condition B+; backed on linen 62 x 46 in. (158 x 117 cm.)
Sold for GBP 3,500 at Christie’s in 2015
Charles Gesmar MISTINGUETT RAGS TO RICHES Color lithograph, unframed MISTINGUETT, RAGS TO RICHES Color lithograph, 1928, printed by H. Chachoin, Paris, on two sheets, laid on a support sheet and linen-backed, printed to the edges on two sides, a central vertical and six horizontal folds, with some discoloration and associated splitting and small tears, some creasing and a few tears at bottom, some unobtrusive other creasing and restored tears, a 1/4 x 1 1/2 inch loss and some soiling at center near top, a 1/8 x 1/8 inch loss underneath top of woman’s left arm, otherwise in good condition, the (full?) sheet. Sheet 123 1/2 x 44 5/8 inches; 3137 x 1134 mm.
Sold for $4,200 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2005
Mistinguett. 1925
ARTIST: CHARLES GESMAR (1900-1928) SIZE: 46 3/4 x 62 3/8 in./118.8 x 158.5 cm PRINTER: Imp. H. Chachoin, Paris DESCRIPTION: One of the most smashing and rare of all of Gesmar’s designs for Mistinguett, she appears in a fur-trimmed riding ensemble, complete with crop. The poster announced her triumphal performance in “La Revue Mistinguett” at the Moulin Rouge, 1925-1926. (Mistinguett; Art Deco; Entertainment)
Sold for $2,400 at Poster Auctions International in 2018
