A Glimpse into Late 19th Century Parisian Cafe Culture
Long before they were textbook fixtures, iconic painters like Édouard Manet, Vincent van Gogh and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec gathered in the smoky haze of Montmartre’s cafes, cabarets and dance halls. These venues were far more than casual watering holes; they served as radical testing grounds where creative voices collided, sparking the birth of impressionism and the Nabi movement. The exhibition celebrates this vibrant, frequently overlooked subculture through roughly 130 masterpieces.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, “The Eglantine Troupe” (1896). Lithograph, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum
It’s also the first exhibition in Japan to trace how this Parisian cafe phenomenon rippled south to Spain. Visitors can follow the trail blazed by Catalan artists like Ramon Casas, who replicated the Parisian bohemian spirit at his own legendary Barcelona tavern, Els Quatre Gats — a haunt that profoundly shaped a teenage Pablo Picasso and ultimately catalyzed his melancholic Blue Period. The crown jewel of the showcase is Casas’ prized masterpiece “Madeleine,” making its first appearance in Japan in 35 years. Select exhibition rooms will even feature immersive scent installations. Also, please note that you can get a ¥100 discount at the counter if you wear red!
